Toland cleared of murder, guilty of manslaughter
A Dublin man who stabbed his friend in the heart has been cleared of murder today, but convicted of manslaughter.
Martin Toland of Walkinstown Park will be sentenced next month for killing 28-year-old Alan Nolan and for seriously injuring 30-year-old James Carroll at Cedar Brook Walk, Ballyfermot on September 8, 2007.
Toland stabbed Nolan five times at his friend's apartment after a night playing poker and video games.
A punch-up about prank phone calls broke out and escalated to such a degree that Toland knifed his friend and another man, James Carroll.
He told gardaí that the two men advanced on him and that he acted in self-defence.
The 36-year-old was found guilty of murder two years ago, but the conviction was overturned and a retrial ordered.
Today he was cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter by majority verdict, on the basis that he was provoked by Alan Nolan.
The 36-year -old gave no reaction to the verdict.
Mr Justice Barry White remanded him in custody for sentencing on June 11.
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