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Man jailed five years for manslaughter of neighbour in Co Kerry

A 63-year-old farmer has been jailed for five years for killing his neighbour in April 2017 in a ...
Newstalk
Newstalk

06.35 3 Dec 2018


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Man jailed five years for mans...

Man jailed five years for manslaughter of neighbour in Co Kerry

Newstalk
Newstalk

06.35 3 Dec 2018


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A 63-year-old farmer has been jailed for five years for killing his neighbour in April 2017 in a dispute over a device used to scare crows off his land.

Michael Ferris of Rattoo, Ballyduff in Kerry stood trial for Anthony O'Mahony's murder, but was found guilty of manslaughter.

Ferris never denied killing Mr O'Mahony on a quiet country road near their neighbouring farms. in what was described as a 'picturesque' part of north Co Kerry.

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His trial heard he blocked the single-lane road with his teleporter: a large farm vehicle described in court as a cross between a tractor and a forklift.

When Mr O'Mahony could not pass in his car, he repeatedly honked his horn and Ferris drove at him.

His trial heard the prongs of his vehicle went through the car and killed the 73-year-old instantly.

Ferris said he 'just snapped' after 30 years of provocation.

He said Mr O'Mahony had a crow banger on his land that would let off a loud shotgun-like noise every few minutes.

Following his trial in Tralee, he was acquitted of murder but found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Ms Justice Carmel Stewart described the killing as 'truly gruesome and horrific' and said it defied belief and imagination - before sentencing him to six years with the final year suspended.


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