Two men jailed for life for Cork murder

Two men were jailed for life yesterday for the murder of a Cork man two years ago.

Two men were jailed for life yesterday for the murder of a Cork man two years ago.

A Central Criminal Court jury unanimously found Keith O'Donovan (29), of Spriggs Road, Gurranabroher, Cork, and James Hourigan (32), of Harbour View Road, Knocknaheeny, Cork, guilty of the murder of Mr Noel McCarthy (28) on May 4th, 2000.

The court heard O'Donovan had 17 previous convictions dating back to 1989. Some were for assault.

Six weeks ago, Cork Circuit Court sentenced O'Donovan to 12 years' imprisonment for armed robbery, an offence which predated the murder of Mr McCarthy.

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The court heard Hourigan had eight previous convictions, including one for the unlawful possession of a knife and assault.

The jury had heard that O'Donovan stabbed Mr McCarthy in the hallway of his home after a row.

The prosecution case was that the two accused were involved in a joint venture to kill or seriously injure Mr McCarthy.

Hourigan admitted being there when his co-accused attacked Mr McCarthy, but denied being part of a joint enterprise to kill or seriously injure him.