The mother of a young man killed in a knife attack in a park in Dublin has told his killer’s sentence hearing that she feels like she is living in a graveyard.

The boy, who can’t be named because he is just 17 years old, was acquitted of murder last month, but is awaiting sentence for the lesser charge of manslaughter.

During the three-week trial, a friend of Azzam Raguragui said he saw his friend slip as he ran up a hill at the park, with the accused right behind him.

He said his friend was kicking his legs out to try to push him away, but that he hit him in the leg with the knife before going for his chest.

A post-mortem revealed he was stabbed five times.

It all happened after a fight broke out between two groups in Finsbury Park in Dundrum on May 10th last year. The court heard it was all over a bike.

The boy was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter.

At his sentence hearing today, Azzam’s father described his son as a “loving, kind and supportive” young man.

He said he remembered his last words to him as he left that day.

“Take care of yourself, son,” he said before Azzam hugged and kissed him for a last time.

Azzam’s mother said she is now dying every day without him and feels like she is living in a graveyard.

The boy will be sentenced later this afternoon.

Reporting from Frank Greaney