A Co. Clare man serving a life sentence for the murder of his neighbour has been refused permission to bring a challenge against his conviction to the Supreme Court.

Brendan O’Sullivan shot Leslie Kenny in the garden of his home at O’Gorman Street in Kilrush in July 2009, but claimed he was trying to protect his family from threats.

He lost an appeal earlier this year, which centred on claims that the judge had inadequately charged the jury as to when a manslaughter verdict should be returned.

His lawyers subsequently argued that this was a point of law of exceptional public importance that warranted a referral to the Supreme Court.

The Court of Criminal Appeal has refused to allow a further appeal.

It has found that the jury, having considered all the evidence, simply did not accept Brendan O’Sullivan was acting in self-defence at all.