The car was being operated as a taxi without the proper insurance or licences.

The jury of 9 men and 3 women is to hear from one more defence witness this morning.

The Jury were told today that the statement was made through an interpreter.

Warning; the following story contains details of extreme violence and dismemberment.

23-year-old Yousef Palani, of Markievicz Heights in Sligo, also admitted causing serious harm to another man the day before he killed his first victim.

In beginning his sentencing this morning, Judge Keelan Johnston described witness accounts of the accused's car driving erratically and swerving into oncoming traffic, resulting in several near misses.

The Boyle man is an elected member of the Council of the Law Society and a partner in the Callan Tansey law firm.

A jury of nine men and three women were sworn in to hear the case