An Irishman found guilty of stabbing his best friend to death in a frenzied knife attack in Panama two years ago has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Peter Byrne, an engineering lecturer from Cork, was found guilty in August of killing his childhood friend, Max Conroy, at Conroy's Panama City apartment in July 1999.
Byrne had pleaded guilty on grounds of insanity but jurors rejected claims that he was suffering from mental illness.
A Supreme Court spokesman said the 20-year sentence was handed down by a civilian jury late last night and could not be appealed.
He also said one of Byrne's defense lawyers would be investigated on allegations that she tried to pressure two witnesses in the case.
The British Embassy in Panama City, which is representing Byrne's interests in the absence of an Irish diplomatic mission, has said it would apply for Byrne's transfer to an Irish prison once the court had passed sentence.
Byrne, an engineering lecturer, flew to Panama to visit Conroy but killed him two days after arriving. The two men had been friends for more than 20 years.