Jury convicts Brazilian man of lover's murder in Offaly
A 33-year-old Brazilian man has been convicted by a jury of murdering his lover in a fit of jealousy at their flat in Co Offaly.
Marcio Goncalves Da Silva has been jailed for life for stabbing separated mother Joselita Da Silva more than 40 times at their home above the Tasty Takeaway on Tara Steet, Tullamore on October 22, 2009.
The two were not related and the court heard she had another boyfriend.
Marcio Da Silva told gardaí he "lost his mind" on the day he stabbed Joselita.
They had a row because she had decided to go away for the third weekend in a row, having promised to spend the time with him.
He said they’d been in a secret relationship for seven months.
Joselita’s son Diego spoke outside court today about his mother.
During the trial, the accused was described as a quiet hard-working man, who was very religious and did not drink
He pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but that was not acceptable to the prosecution, who said he murdered Joselita out of jealousy.
After over three and a half hours of deliberation, the jury returned a majority verdict of murder.
Marcio da Silva gave no visible reaction…as he was handed down the mandatory life sentence.
