A Dublin man who murdered his father has been jailed for life after he was found guilty of murder at the Central Criminal Court.
Edward Brady (25), Glenshane Grove, Tallaght, was found guilty at the Central Criminal Court yesterday of murdering his father, Thomas Brady (50), at his flat at Dolphin's Barn, Dublin, on January 19th, 2005.
The jury returned a unanimous verdict.
Edward Brady showed no sign of emotion when the verdict was read out. However, several female relatives sobbed in the public gallery.
During the two-week trial the court heard Thomas Brady died as a result of multiple blows to his head and shoulders.
The jury was told Mr Brady received 66 separate injuries, the majority of which were to his head, face, jaw and neck.
On the night of January 19th, Thomas Brady was found in a pool of blood in the bedroom of his flat, and was rushed to St James's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Edward Brady denied murder, but admitted to manslaughter.
Brady's lawyers claimed that the defendant had lost control of himself, and was provoked after he and his father had argued over an ongoing family matter.
The court was told the two generally got on well but problems arising from his parents' fractious marriage affected their relationship. Thomas Brady had difficulty accepting the split with his former wife and was unhappy with his divorce settlement.
Brady, who initially pushed his father in the chest, admitted striking his father on the face with a hammer after his father swung a hurley at him.
A struggle ensued and Brady struck his father with the hammer several more times.
After the hammer fell out of his hands, the defendant then picked up the hurley and continued to strike his father.
Edward Brady left the flat, dumped his blood-stained jacket, and then went to a pub to wash his hands. He then went to an off-licence where he purchased some beer, and sent a text message to his father's mobile phone, saying: "are you in or are you at home".
The defendant then returned to the scene and called the emergency services.
Following the verdict, Det Garda Gabriel O'Gara, who headed the investigation, told the court that the family of Thomas Brady were relieved the trial was over, and were trying to put this behind them.
Thomas Brady was a divorced father of six, and a former member of the Defence Forces. He came from a family of 15 brothers and a sister. His parents, who are alive, are in their 80s.
Edward Brady worked in the construction industry and is the father of three young children.