NIGHTCLUB KNIFE KILLER GETS 9YRS

Victim was stabbed five times after fight broke out in venue

-  EOIN REYNOLDS

A KILLER who fetched a knife following a fight in a nightclub and stabbed his victim five times after a second altercation has been jailed for nine years.

The Central Criminal Court heard that Nathan O'Neill had left the venue following a row and armed himself with the weapon and produced it when another row broke out.

The 24-year-old produced the weapon during a fight with two unarmed men and stabbed Jamie Higgins to death.

O'Neill has previous convictions for making a threat to kill and for possession of a knife.

Jailing O'Neill, Mr Justice Paul Burns said the introduction of the knife was a substantial aggravating factor.

He added: "When faced with two against one, it was he who introduced the knife by leaving and returning with the weapon."

The judge said that it was clear from statements made by Mr Higgins's mother, partner and sister that the deceased was "much-loved and his death has had a profound impact on those close to him."