The mother of a stabbing victim has described having to sit through the retrial of her son’s killer as inhumane, while a survivor of the attack said the fight for justice had been as difficult as his fight for life.
They were giving their victim impact statements to the Central Criminal Court at the sentencing hearing of Martin Toland.
Last month, a jury found him guilty of the manslaughter of Alan Nolan (28) at Cedar Brook Walk, Ballyfermot, Dublin, on September 8th, 2007. He denied his murder.
Toland (36), Walkinstown Park, was also convicted of seriously injuring James Carroll (now 32) on the same occasion. He denied that charge, insisting he had stabbed both men in self defence. Mr Nolan died and Mr Carroll received life- saving surgery.
A previous jury had found Toland guilty of murdering Mr Nolan, but the Court of Criminal Appeal quashed this conviction last year and ordered a retrial.
Marian Nolan said having to sit through the retrial was “inhumane and cruel”.
Mr Carroll said: “I was made feel like I was the one on trial.” He added: “The fight for justice has been as hard as the fight for life.”
Mr Justice Barry White will sentence Toland on both counts on Friday.