A Dublin man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for killing a boy by setting fire to his wooden den while he slept inside.

Stephen Hughes was just aged 12 when his makeshift hut burned down at Rossfield Avenue in Tallaght in the early hours of September 1st of 2001.

He had been sleeping there with a friend who managed to escape the blaze.

Last month, a jury found Dermot Griffin of Ballyfermot Road guilty of his manslaughter. One witness said she saw Griffin setting the den on fire.

And despite initially providing him with an alibi, some years later his ex-girlfriend told gardai he left her home that night to burn it down.

The father of four was found guilty of manslaughter following a three week trial.

The court heard Mr. Griffin has served time for drug dealing and firearms offences and has a criminal record going back to 1977.

He was due to be sentenced on June 3rd, but the judge said she needed more time and it was back until today.

Speaking outside court after the sentencing, Stephen's mother Elizabeth Hughes said she is relieved her son can finally rest in peace.