A MAN convicted of stabbing his mother’s partner with a boning knife last year is to be sentenced this morning at the Central Criminal Court.
Andre Bastos (18) was found guilty last week of the manslaughter of Claudio Fernandes (33) on the main street in Duleek, Co Meath, on July 29th last year. He was found not guilty of murder.
Garda John Daly of Navan station, told the court yesterday that Bastos arrived in Ireland from Brazil in January 2007, was living in a mobile home in Bettystown, Co Meath, with his mother, and worked in a local meat factory.
His mother, Maura, and Mr Fernandes also worked there.
On the night of the killing Bastos and Mr Fernandes were in a pub in Duleek where Bastos was verbally abused by his mother’s partner. Bastos left the pub and went to a nearby house where other Brazilians were living.
He had disconnected a lead to the battery of Mr Fernandes’ car so he would not drive home without him. Mr Fernandes arrived at the house and a row began with Bastos over the car not starting.
Bastos returned to the house and got a knife from the kitchen, concealed it in his pocket and returned outside. He told gardaí his stepfather started chasing him and was calling him names. He said Mr Fernandes went to punch him and he stabbed him. The court heard that there was a history of domestic violence by Mr Fernandes against Bastos and particularly his mother.