A 51-year-old Kildare man serving life for murdering his ex-partner has been given a 3-year jail sentence for stabbing her new boyfriend.

Michael McDonald of Barnhill, Castledermot stuck a knife in John Lawlor's hand before he used the weapon to kill Breda Cummins as she lay in bed at a house in Athy on May 13th 2010.

In a jealous rage, he arrived by taxi at their home in the early hours of the morning, stabbed her 6 times in the chest with a kitchen knife and told her: 'I love you'. She had ended their 5-year relationship 6 weeks earlier.

The father of one was convicted of her murder by a jury at the Central Criminal Court last November and was jailed for life.

He was also found guilty of assault causing harm to John Lawlor for the knife attack on his hand and sentencing was put back until today.

Accused feels remorse, court told

In a victim impact statement submitted to the court, the 44-year-old says he has been devastated by events that night and is still trying to come to terms with the fact Breda is gone. He says he feels constant guilt he did not prevent her death. He also underwent two operations for his hand.

Defence lawyers told the court that Michael McDonald feels remorse for his actions but in his mind what happened that night came about out of his concern for Breda Cummins.

They described the 51-year-old as a man who has struggled with alcohol abuse.

He has also had mental problems since he was a teenager when he spent time in a psychiatric facility. He failed to finish a degree in English and philosophy at NUI Maynooth but considers himself a capable author and poet.

Judge Iseult O'Malley said it had been a 'sad and tragic trial' but that both men were very lucky in regards to Mr. Lawlor that they were not dealing with something more serious.

She imposed a 3-year sentence on Michael McDonald which will run concurrently with his life sentence.