Murder, how shocking.

"McGovern told gardai that he was shocked that he had pulled a knife on somebody and had only taken out the knife to scare Michael Doherty and didn't mean to make contact."
Yep, shocked. That's the line that struck me the most in this case.


Forethought and malice are factors to murder and murder is often defined as "to kill intentionally and with premeditation"
So, bearing that in mind, how is it even possible that John McGovern was able to skate on a manslaughter charge? Because he says he was 'shocked' to find a knife in his hand? 'Shocked' he swung it and stabbed his victim? 'Shocked' he gloated over his victim's death later? Lucky he wasn't carrying a samurai sword eh? Then he'd be super shocked, and probably in big trouble to boot.
John McGovern insulted his victim, goaded him into fight, then when bested in the fight by Michael Doherty, a young man no stranger to boxing, he pulled a knife on him and despite being held back he managed to land a fatal blow, killing the 14 year old.
Must have been the most shocking night of his life.
How is that not murder? No really, what did he think might happen when he struck the boy with a dangerous weapon?
'He was a knacker, he deserved it.'
Wow, I wonder was he in 'shock' when he said that?
"Mr Gageby said that there was no intent by McGovern to kill or even cause serious harm when he swung out with the knife."

Hard to prove intent- I get it. So what was the intention of this youth? He starts a fight with a 'knacker', is furious to shown up by a younger boy and then -despite being held back- manages to kill him using an offensive weapon. What was his intention I wonder?
I'm guessing it the outcome wasn't too far off what he had in mind, but then I'm not the law and I obviously don't understand 'shock' as well as some. See, in my stupid head I reckon any hot head pulling a knife has to factor in the likelihood of fatality, but there you go. I'm silly like that.