A Dublin teenager who stabbed and slashed a father-of-two 14 times in the head, neck, stomach and chest has been sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for manslaughter.
The final four years were suspended at the Central Criminal Court yesterday.
David O'Leary (19), of Sheepmore Way, Blanchardstown, who was 17 at the time of the offence, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of the manslaughter of Michael Murphy (31) outside the Buda Bar in Blanchardstown on Halloween night 2004.
O'Leary was captured on CCTV carrying out the knife attack after earlier fighting with Mr Murphy in the bar and outside, when the two were escorted from the premises.
Passing sentence Mr Justice Éamon de Valera described the killing as "vicious and totally unnecessary" and said it was towards the "severe end of the sentencing spectrum".
The judge said such a serious offence should carry a long custodial sentence. He said the Swiss army knife, which O'Leary claimed to have taken from Mr Murphy's pocket, was a tool type that had to be opened.
In court Mr Murphy's sister, Marie Murphy, read a letter she had written to the judge. She said it was hard to put into words the damage the crime had caused and she said her and her family were still trying to deal with the sadness and pain. "I have lost not just a brother but a friend," she said.
Mr Murphy, from Fortlawn Avenue, Dublin, left behind two daughters, Lyndsey and Loren, who were aged nine and 10 at the time of his death.
"His untimely death has left many people saddened," said Ms Murphy. "The girls still ask why their daddy died and probably always will. No child should ever have to lose their daddy."
She said her father had also been devastated by her brother's death and had had to bury his wife 10 days later.