THE brother of killed journalist Eugene Moloney has said two families had been destroyed by the attack which left the 55-year-old dead.
Gary Burch, 21, of Kennington Close, Templeogue, County Dublin, today pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of Eugene on Camden Street on 24 June 2012.
He was jailed for five years, with the last two years of the sentence was suspended.
Mr Moloney was born in England, grew in Belfast but had family connections to both Donegal and Derry.
His brother Shaun lives in Fahan.
In a victim impact statement to the court Shaun Moloney criticised the violent street culture in many parts of Ireland.
Speaking outside the court, he said: “We came here today to get justice for Eugene and the judge did her very best.
“When you looked at the other family, you could see what a sorry day it is for both families. No amount of justice will bring our brother back. The other man’s life is ruined.”
Eugene was frequent visitor to Donegal – and saw it has ‘home’. He was laid to rest in Fahan after his death.
He began his career at the Irish News in Belfast before moving to the Irish Independent in Dublin where he worked for 20 years, often covering the North.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard Burch had drunk ten bottles of beer and a couple of shots when he punched Mr Moloney in the head.
Today Burch apologised to the Moloney family in court.