Laois Man Found Guilty Of Manslaughter Of Waterford Fisherman

Wednesday, 13 July 2022 16:47

The now 21 year old has been cleared of murder.

A 21-year-old man has been found guilty of the manslaughter of a local fisherman in Dunmore East, Co Waterford.

Dean Kerrie, who now lives in Portarlington, Co Laois, stood trial for murder but was cleared of the more serious charge.

Dean Kerrie never denied stabbing Jack Power to death in the early hours of the 26th of July 2018.

But what the jury had to decide was whether he was acting in self-defence when he did so and whether the force he used was reasonable.

He was 17 at the time and told gardaí that Mr Power, who was 25, had forced his way into their home that night before attacking him and his mother.

The jurors had three options open to them and after just under six hours considering the evidence, they acquitted him of murder but found him guilty of manslaughter.

The now 21 year old would have been entitled to a full acquittal if they agreed he used reasonable force in response to the threat faced by him and his family.

This was the second time he stood trial for Jack Power’s murder. A jury failed to reach agreement earlier this year.

Dean was taken into custody this evening. His sentence hearing will take place in October.