Fethard man is jailed for threatening to kill his neighbour

A MAN who was found guilty of a threat to kill and cause harm by a jury has been sentenced to two years and six months in prison.

John Murphy, of 77 Hookless Village, Fethard-on-Sea, and also of Ballyowen, Wellingtonbridge, was found guilty by a jury at Wexford Ciruit Criminal Court of a threat to kill and cause serious harm to Jason Byrne at 82 Hookless Village on October 28, 2017. He was also found guilty by the jury of possession of a weapon on same occasion.

Prosecuting counsel Sinéad Gleeson told the court that the defendant threatened to kill Mr Byrne with an axe.

Det Garda Edward Barry told the court that on the occasion Mr Byrne was outside his home playing with children. The defendant was a neighbour of his. At the time the defendant resided with his partner Kim Gordon, while Jason Byrne resided with his partner. On the day in question, Murphy came out of the house with an article and said: ‘What about that?’

The court had been told, said Det Garda Barry, that John Murphy disappeared for a few minutes and reappeared with a knife. Words were directed towards Jason Byrne, saying: ‘I’ll f ****** kill you.’ After that, Jason Byrne and the children went back into the house.

Det Garda Barry told Ms Gleeson that the defendant had a number of previous convictions and had been in custody since November last.

Defence counsel Colman Cody said there had been disagreement between Ms Gordon and Ms Power, the partner of Jason Byrne.

He said the defendant had at the time been abusing recreational drugs.

Judge Cormac Quinn said that there had been a serious threat to kill to Mr Byrne in the presence of his partner and children, with a knife in hand.

The judge noted Murphy’s previous convictions and the effect of the incident on Mr Byrne. In mitigation, he said he would take into account a letter of apology and remorse and the various reports before the court.

On the threat to kill charge, Judge Quinn imposed a sentence of two years and six months, backdated to November 6, 2017, the date he went into custody. He marked the remaining charge taken into consideration.