A court has heard that a man found guilty of killing a boy in Dublin has a substantial criminal record spanning almost four decades.

Last month, Dermot Griffin (54) of Ballyfermot Road was convicted of manslaughter for setting fire to the boy's wooden hut at Rossfield Avenue in Tallaght.

Stephen Hughes was just 12 when his makeshift hut burned down in the early hours of September 1st 2001. He had been sleeping there with a friend who managed to escape the blaze.

One witness said she saw Dermot 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.

13 years have passed since Stephen's death but from the stand today his mother Elizabeth says she still grieves for him every day.

"Our lives will never be the same" she said. "He was a beautiful, sweet and happy little boy who was just enjoying his childhood".

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 today but the judge said she needed more time and it was back until later this month.