A teenager has been jailed for two years for killing his mother’s ex-boyfriend during a domestic row at their home in Co. Offaly in November 2017.
The court was told that Alexander Whelan of Green Road, Lumville, Edenderry was trying to protect the most important person in his life.
Alexander Whelan was just an infant when his father died in 2002.
His mother knew Bruno Rolandi through her husband, and he was very helpful after he passed away.
A relationship developed between them eight years later, but the court heard he was very abusive and violent towards her, and she brought it to an end.
However, Mr. Rolandi refused to leave her house.
A row broke out on the night in question.
The court heard Mr. Rolandi was about to strike Alex’s brother, when their mother got between them.
Alex then grabbed a knife from the kitchen and stabbed him three times.
His barrister said he felt overwhelmed and sprung to his mother’s defence.
He said it occurred in the blink of an eye by a 17yo who was overprotective of his mother and brother.
Alex, who’s now 19yo, apologised to the Rolandi family, and said he wished he could undo all the pain he’s caused.
Given the mitigation in the case and what the judge described as the “very extenuating circumstances,” he was handed a 2-year prison sentence today.
*Reporting by Frank Greaney
