A BUTCHER has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering his girlfriend with his meat-boning knife in Roscommon last year.
Brazilian Amilton Leonel de Olivera (37), Lanesborough Street, Roscommon town, pleaded guilty yesterday to murdering mother of one Kezia Gomes Rosa (31) on August 19th, 2008, at a house on Lanesborough Street.
Det Insp Pat Finlay told the Central Criminal Court that Ms Rosa came to Ireland on a holiday visa in late 2006 and worked in a meat factory in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, before moving to Roscommon town.
She met de Olivera in early 2007. They formed a relationship and shared a flat in the town. Father of one de Olivera worked as a boner in a meat factory there and Ms Rosa worked casually.
Det Insp Finlay said that on August 18th last year, Ms Rosa had to leave the flat as there had been difficulties between them. She sought shelter in the nearby house of her boyfriend’s cousin, Valdivino de Morais.
He said de Olivera went to his cousin’s house that evening but was not admitted. Ms Rosa refused to return home with him and Mr de Morais told him to leave.
The court heard de Olivera stayed around the house throughout the following day and that evening asked to go inside to speak to the woman. At 7pm, after consulting Ms Rosa, Mr de Morais allowed his cousin inside.
The inspector said the couple went into the kitchen. Moments later, Mr de Morais heard screaming and Ms Rosa crying for help. He went in and saw her sitting in a chair with a knife in her chest and de Olivera standing over her. The killer removed the knife and ran out of the house, discarding it in shrubbery outside.
Det Insp Pat Finlay said Ms Rosa managed to move to the hall, but collapsed and died of a single stab wound to the heart. The court heard de Olivera had brought the extremely sharp, nine-inch boning knife with him. He carried it in his waistband, having wrapped it in tissue so as not to hurt himself.
The inspector said the killer’s cousin identified him to gardaí shortly after the stabbing. He was arrested at 7.35pm and admitted the killing throughout all five interviews, during which he was tearful.
Det Insp Pat Finlay said Ms Rosa had an eight-year-old daughter, cared for by her mother in rural Brazil. She used to send money home to them. She also gave 10 per cent of what she earned to her local Brazilian church in Roscommon town.
He said her family had intended to travel to Ireland for the court case, but a family member had a serious road accident last month.
Det Insp Finlay said de Olivera came to Ireland as a butcher on an immigrant visa in 2002 and had worked in meat factories since. He had a daughter here with a different Brazilian woman in 2004 and received Irish residency as a result. Mr Justice Paul Carney imposed the mandatory life sentence, backdating it to August 19th last year.