David Mahon Loses Appeal Against Seven Year Sentence For Killing Stepson
David Mahon has lost his appeal against the seven year sentence he received for killing his stepson.
The 46-year-old stabbed Dean Fitzpatrick outside his apartment at Ongar Village in Clonsilla in Dublin in May 2013.
Following his arrest, Dave Mahon claimed Dean pulled a knife on him during an argument. He said he disarmed him and somehow stabbed him with it during a later confrontation but insisted he didn't mean it and even suggested Dean had walked into the blade on purpose.
He was cleared of murder in June last year but found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for seven years – a sentence his legal team considered too severe. They argued the offence was placed too high on the scale of seriousness.
However, the judges dismissed his appeal today because they felt the trial judge handed down an appropriate sentence given all the circumstances.
Dean’s death isn’t the only tragedy to befall the Fitzpatrick family. His sister Amy hasn’t been seen since she went missing in Spain almost ten years ago. Their mother, and Dave Mahon’s wife Audrey, was in court to hear today’s judgement.