A man has gone on trial accused of murdering a musician in Sligo.
Keith Brady of Cartron Estate in Sligo pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Martin ‘Matt’ Kivlehan but his plea wasn’t accepted by the DPP.
In August 2015, Matt Kivlehan was living on his own in an apartment on Holborn Street in Sligo and was just four months shy of his 60th birthday.
Prosecuting barrister Paul Murray told the jury people would occasionally call in to him for a drink.
The bachelor’s body was found in his home on August 3rd 2015 – the day after he was killed.
The accused Keith Brady and his sister Janice were there the night before.
Mr. Murray said a post-mortem revealed the local musician was stabbed twice in the neck – one of the wounds was 9cm deep, he added.
A high level of alcohol was found in his system and the jury was told death would have been rapid, but not instant.
Mr. Brady, who turned 30 a few weeks ago, admits killing Mr. Kivlehan but denies his murder.
The question of intent will be the main issue for the jury to decide.
