A 36 year old man has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering his wife in a vicious assault.
Michael McDonagh, of College Manor, Hoey's Lane, Dundalk, Co. Louth pleaded guilty to the murder of Jacqueline McDonagh on August 29th 2012.
The court heard how the mother of three had been "cruelly taken from her family" when she was "brutally beaten to death" by her husband of fifteen years Michael, despite several unsuccessful attempts to call her father.
The court heard the family had been at a family party where alcohol had been consumed, but that the couple had been in good form.
Michael McDonagh was noted for being a bare knuckle fighter.
A victim impact statement read to the court said Jacqueline McDonagh's three children meant the world to her.
Justice Paul Carney handed down a life sentence to Michael McDonagh, backdated to the 1st of September 2012.
