A Kildare man has been jailed for 3 and a half years for the manslaughter of a student in Mullingar over 2 years ago.

21-year-old Patrick Farrell of Cornamuckla in Broadford pleaded guilty at Mullingar Circuit Court to the unlawful killing of 20-year-old Andrew Dolan on on New Year's Day last year.

Mr. Dolan, a biomedical student from Carrick-on Shannon in Leitrim, was assaulted on Pearse Street in Mullingar and later died at Beaumont Hospital.

The court heard evidence he said to his assailants 'Don't hit me. What did I do?'.

Judge Tony Hunt said it was clear from CCTV footage of the assault that he was in a passive mode and in retreat. Patrick Farrell struck the student twice.

He was arrested nearby and immediately expressed concern about Andrew Dolan’s condition.

Judge Hunt noted he was not a career criminal but said 'a decent and valuable life has been lost'.

He suspended half of a 7 year prison sentence.