A man could have killed his brother when he stabbed him in the chest after an argument over drink and drugs.

Brian Ward, 28, of Church View, Ballinrobe, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court.

The court heard that on December 9, 2021, Gardaí found the defendant’s brother, Cathal Ward, slumped over in a doorway in Ellison Street, Castlebar. He had suffered stab wounds and was receiving first aid from his girlfriend, gardaí said.

Earlier that night, Brian Ward had been consuming alcohol with his brother and his girlfriend at his Ellison Street apartment.

When Cathal went to the bedroom, he was followed by Brian, who stabbed his brother in the chest. The defendant then bought a few beers and left the apartment.

Brian Ward was arrested later that night but Gardaí were unable to find the knife used in the attack.

Cathal Ward suffered a 3cm stab wound to his lower chest. He lost consciousness and suffered severe blood loss. He had to be resuscitated at the hospital and underwent emergency surgery.

Det Gda Ciaran Naughton told the court the injured party could have died if he had not reached Mayo University Hospital’s emergency department in time.

The defendant had several previous criminal records, but none of them were violent.

Defense lawyer Diarmuid Connolly said the Ward family had come to terms with what happened and had put the matter behind them. The defendant was under the influence of drink and drugs overnight and Gardaí had to wait six hours to interview him due to his level of intoxication.

Mr Connolly said there were no details of the nature of the fight between the brothers but his client was deeply remorseful for his actions.

Judge Eoin Garavan criticized the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) decision not to charge Ward with assault occasioning serious harm, which carries a more severe sentence.

“The man nearly died,” the judge said.

Noting that this was a “horribly violent incident”, Judge Garavan sentenced Ward to four years in prison.

“The community will be glad he’s off the streets,” the judge added.