A judge has jailed a young man for two months for what he described as a "serious, blatant and pre-meditated" contempt of court.

Darragh O'Connor - of Deer Mount, Deerpark in Cork - went on holiday to Ayia Napa and failed to return to Dublin to give evidence in a criminal trial.

On May 13th, O'Connor was served with a summons to give evidence in the trial of a teenage boy accused of producing a knife during a violent confrontation outside a house party in Cork city last year that led to the death of Cameron Blair - who was stabbed in the neck by another boy.

O'Connor made a 17-page statement to Gardaí, during which he claimed he saw the accused with a butter knife: a claim the boy's defence barrister wished to challenge

Despite being told about the consequences of not showing up, he decided to go to Cyprus on a pre-booked package holiday with friends instead.

The trial came to a halt and the charge was eventually dropped.

Today, Mr Justice David Keane said O'Connor was informed and reminded about his legal obligation, but still chose to prioritise a holiday over attending the trial.

Taking his age, apology and previous good character into account he decided on a two-month prison sentence.