A man has been handed a nine-year prison sentence for stabbing a young father to death on the dancefloor of a nightclub in Co. Clare in 2018.
Nathan O’Neill, from Dooradoyle in Limerick, was just 19 when he attacked 23-year-old Jamie Higgins after leaving the club and returning with a knife.
Nathan O’Neill’s murder trial heard there was some history between him and Jamie Higgins.
Both ended up in the Shannon Knights nightclub on St Patrick’s Day 2018.
At one point during the night, Jamie punched Nathan. Nathan left the club and returned about an hour later with a knife.
A fight broke out between the two, during which Nathan O’Neill stabbed Jamie five times. He also stabbed his friend, Michael Shannon.
He was acquitted of Jamie’s murder but convicted of manslaughter, an offence he had already pleaded guilty to before the trial got underway.
Jamie Higgins was just 23 when he died. The court heard he was a very talented athlete and excelled at many sports.
His partner told the judge he loved being a Dad and at the time of his death, their son was just 13-months-old.
O’Neill was sentenced to ten years in prison with the final year suspended.
