A Limerick man (20) was jailed for life yesterday for murdering a friend he shot in the chest after a five-day drinking binge.
James Keane pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court in Limerick yesterday to the murder of Mr Stephen Carey, (23) at College Avenue, Moyross, on June 13th, 2004.
Keane had initially denied the charge but the court heard yesterday that he had changed his plea to guilty and he hoped that the dead man's family might one day "find it in their hearts" to forgive him.
However, the victim's girlfriend and mother of his two young sons said she could never forgive him and added that he had taken away a person who was better than the accused.
Garda Darragh Maguire gave evidence that Keane, the deceased, Gary Carey, and other people had been drinking heavily outside a house at College Avenue in Moyross. A row started between Keane and the Careys.
A row ensued, and Carey shot Mr Keane with a sawn-off shotgun
Garda Maguire gave evidence that Keane, who was arrested and brought to Mayorstone Garda station for questioning had initially denied all knowledge of the shooting.