A Waterford man already serving a life-sentence for murdering horse-breeder Richard Forristal (68) has been sentenced to another three years in prison for the burglary which led to the murder.
The sentence, imposed by Mr Justice Paul Carney in the Central Criminal Court yesterday, is to run concurrently with the life sentence imposed following the murder trial in March.
Anthony Barnes (20), Clonard Park, Ballybeg, had pleaded guilty to burglary at Mr Forristal's home at Carrigavantry Stud, Co Waterford, on July 21st, 2005.
Sgt Murth Whelan, who investigated the burglary, said €50 was taken. He said that on the day Mr Forristal was murdered, Barnes and Andrew Halligan (21), Ardmore Park, Waterford, broke into the house while Mr Forristal was at the funeral of a local girl who had been killed in a terrorist attack in Turkey.
When Mr Forristal got home, the two men were disturbed and a struggle broke out in which he received fatal injuries. Sgt Whelan said Barnes and Halligan had at all times admitted their part in the burglary.
In March, Halligan was sentenced to seven years for trespass with intent to commit burglary, but he denied any part in the death of Mr Forristal.