The jury in the trial of Kilrush man Brendan O’Sullivan will consider whether he’s Guilty or Not Guilty of the murder of Leslie Kenny later this morning.
The 26 year old father of two admitted shooting his 27 year old neighbour four times at O’Gorman Street, Kilrush in July 2009 but said it was only to protect his family from threats and not to kill him
Brendan O’Sullivan’s defence counsel, John Phelan told the jury that Leslie Kenny had a "formidable reputation" around Kilrush with 82 previous convictions – including assault, and carrying knives and hammers
Put yourself in the position of my client with his wife and children"and that person threatening to shoot and burn them out. he said" – referring to evidence of Leslie Kenny’s violent threats against Brendan O’Sullivan’s family, He also said the accused would not have planned to murder Mr Kenny in broad daylight at 10.30 in the morning
But prosecuting counsel,Michael Durack drew attention to three shotgun cartridges found in O’Sullivan’s kitchen, when he told gardaí he had never opened the cartridge box before that morning – and suggested that he had the gun loaded to shoot Leslie Kenny as he arrived
Asking the jury to return a Guilty Verdict – he said it was clear Leslie Kenny was no angel, but "you cannot lure
someone into a situation where they have not attacked you, and they are unarmed, because you have a general fear.
Jury deliberations will commence at 10.30
