A man sent to prison for five and a half years for killing a musician in Waterford City has had his sentence increased.

Craig McGrath of Rathfaddan Park in Waterford City was out on bail for assault when he attacked Damien O’Brien.

McGrath punched Damien O’Brien at least twice in the head in the unprovoked assault on John’s Street in the early hours of July 7th, 2018.

The 28 year old musician from Kilmacow died in hospital a number of days later.

McGrath was sentenced to five years for manslaughter and a consecutive two and a half years for assault at Waterford Circuit Court in May of last year.

Two years of the assault sentence were suspended, leaving a net sentence of five and a half years.

However, the Director of Public Prosecutions sought a review of the sentence on the grounds that it was unduly lenient.

The Court of Appeal delivered a written judgement this morning.

Craig McGrath’s manslaughter sentence has been increased to 7 years, with the final 2 years suspended, while his assault sentence remains the same but with no suspension.

This means he will now serve seven and a half years.

In a social media post, Damien O’Brien’s family say they “will be forever heartbroken” but the increased sentence give them “some glimmer of light and hope that there is some sort of justice in the world”.