Murder victim Karol Kelly who was stabbed to death in Derry in March 2018
Michael Dunlop was sentenced today at Derry Crown Court, sitting in Coleraine.
Dunlop, aged 22, Fern Park, Derry, had previously been found guilty of attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm on Karol Kelly.
During a trial earlier this year, Dunlop was found not guilty of murdering Mr Kelly but guilty of attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm.
Recorder of Derry Judge Philip Babington sentenced him to five years – half to be served in custody and half to be served on licence.
Judge Babington told the sentencing hearing on Thursday it had been “a very tragic case”.
Mr Kelly died in Grafton Street in Derry in the early hours of March 4, 2018 after an altercation during which he was stabbed several times.
Brothers Sean Anderson (24) and Gary Anderson (25), both of Grafton Street in Derry, were found guilty of murder by a jury and subsequently sentenced to life in prison.
At Thursday’s hearing, a barrister for Dunlop, who was 17 at the time, said his client had shown “appropriate remorse and regret” for his part in the death of Mr Kelly.
He said his client had gone to Grafton Street “for a few drinks” on the night Mr Kelly died and added “little did he realise the consequences of a trip to that location”.
The barrister said Dunlop had “withdrawn” from the situation when he realised what was happening.
Following sentencing today, Detective Inspector Michelle Griffin said: “Mr Kelly, who was aged 35, was stabbed to death in March 2018.
“The tragic event took place following an altercation at a house in the Grafton Street area of Derry.
“On leaving the address, Mr Kelly was pursued by three defendants, one of whom is Michael Dunlop.
“Dunlop was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm.
“This was a brutal attack, which left a loving family bereft and an entire community in shock.
“Today’s result is one piece of a bigger picture.
“My thoughts remain with Mr Kelly’s family, who remain heartbroken and have had to recall the distressing detail of that day.”
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