Two men who pleaded guilty to manslaughter of a man in Ennis last year have been remanded in custody for sentencing next Monday.
Mr Michael Nihill (26) of Church Drive, Clarecastle, and his cousin, Mr Joseph O’Halloran (30), with an address at Argyll Court, Newpark Rd, London, were found not guilty last month of the murder of Mr Michael Shannon (34) of Connolly Villas, Ennis, on April 2nd 2000.
Both, however, have pleaded guilty to the charges of manslaughter of Mr Shannon after they were cleared of murder by a jury at the end of June.
According to arresting gardaí, both men were "apologetic and remorseful". Character witness statements entered into the record this morning described Mr Nihill as a "co-operative and pleasant person" and Mr O’Halloran as a "very personable person".
Both men during the trial told the court they were very sorry for the attack and apologised to Mr Shannon's family.
Defence said both men came from a small area and would be known for the rest of their lives as those who killed Mr Shannon.
During the week-long trial, the jury of eight men and four women heard that Mr O’Halloran and Mr Nihill beat and kicked Mr Shannon after an argument on a street in Ennis.
They are due for sentencing at 11 a.m. next Monday.