A 22-year-old man has been handed a life sentence for murdering a vulnerable man in his own home in Dublin in 2021.

Owen Maughan of Dún Saithne Avenue, Balbriggan admitted murdering 65-year-old Christopher Hall in November 2021.

The court heard he harassed and stole from Mr Hall before stabbing him seven times and also beating him with what Gardaí believed was the handle of the knife he used to kill him with.

'We're so shocked'

After Maughan was sentenced, Mr Hall’s daughter, Rebecca, spoke about how brutal and senseless her father’s murder was.

"He was just such a gentle, caring, loving man," she said.

"He would have done anything for anyone - he loved his family.

"He adored his grandkids, his mother, his brothers and sisters and he lived such a simple life.

"He didn't harm anyone, he didn't bother anyone and we're just so shocked that something like this happened to him because of that."

Main image: The Criminal Courts of Justice, building in Parkgate Street, Dublin. Image: noel bennett / Alamy Stock Photo