A LIMERICK man has been jailed for life for murdering his neighbour during a dispute. Michael O'Callaghan was found guilty by the Central Criminal Court yesterday of killing Mr Johnny Collins at O'Malley Park Limerick, on August 2nd, 1994. O'Callaghan (23), a father of one, of O'Malley Park, had denied the murder of Mr Collins (30), a father of two.
Mr Justice Geoghegan told O'Callaghan there was only one sentence he could impose, life imprisonment.
During the three day trial the jury heard that Mr Collins died from shock and haemorrhage after he was stabbed three times in the chest, abdomen and leg.
Witnesses said they saw O'Callaghan scuffling with Mr Collins outside the latter's house in O'Malley Park in the early hours of the morning. Mr Collins lived opposite O'Callaghan.
The prosecution claimed the murder was "a mindless and motiveless attack".
Earlier Det Garda John Nagle said that O'Callaghan called by arrangement to Roxboro Road Garda station on August 8th 1994. He was with his father and met his solicitor outside the Garda station. Det Garda Nagle said he told O'Callaghan that he was there of his own free will and was not under arrest.
O'Callaghan said he understood and then said he wished to make a written statement.
Det Garda Nagle then cautioned him and O'Callaghan made a statement.
In the statement O'Callaghan said he had been at a pub in Limerick and had returned home at 1.50 a.m. on August 2nd.
He left to get cigarettes and Johnny Collins called him over. O'Callaghan said that Mr Collins started arguing with him over £240 which went missing from his home the night he was raided,
O'Callaghan said he started scuffling with Mr Collins and then got up and ran away.
He said he had nothing in his hand and got frightened when he saw Mr Collins and two other men. O'Callaghan said he was sorry for Johnny Collins's mother, father and family and added: "I did not do it."
Det Garda Nagle said the missing money referred to a search carried out at Mr Collins's house under the Drugs Act but added that it had "nothing whatsoever" to do with the case.