Francisco Notarantonio used a 13-inch chef’s knife to kill Gerard Devlin in front of his partner and six children.

Details about the fatal Ballymurphy stabbing emerged at Belfast Crown Court on Friday during the appearance of five men from the same family who admit being involved in the brawl that led to Mr Devlin’s death.

Francisco Notarantonio, 21, admits manslaughter. Four others – Christopher Notarantonio, 56, Anthony Notarantonio, 50, William Notarantonio, 24, and Paul Oliver Burns, 26 – have pleaded guilty to affray. The five were due to be sentenced on Friday. However the decision on their punishment has been postponed so judge Mr Justice Stephens can consider the facts.

During the proceedings it emerged that Francisco Notarantonio stabbed Mr Devlin with a fearsome 13-inch chef’s knife.

The 39-year-old died from a single stab wound to the back, which entered between the ninth and tenth ribs and moved up into the chest, puncturing vital organs.

When details of the injuries were read out Mr Devlin’s tearful parents – Mary and Pat Devlin – left the courtroom.

The court heard how two relatives who rushed to Mr Devlin’s aid – Anthony McCabe and Thomas Loughran – were also attacked.

Francisco Notarantonio stabbed Mr McCabe in the chest, leaving a three-inch wound.

He also attempted to stab Mr Loughran, but missed. During the melée Mr Loughran was hit over the head with a spindle from a stair-banister.

The brawl, which occurred on February 3, 2006, began when Mr Devlin arrived at his partner’s home in Whitecliff Parade to collect her and his six children.

He intended taking them to the village of Glenavy to show them their new house.

As they were leaving, his son, Gerard Devlin Jnr, became involved in a confrontation with William Notarantonio.

Gerard Devlin intervened and began fighting with William Notarantonio, who ran into a relative’s house and summoned help.

Francisco Notarantonio, Christopher Notarantonio, Anthony Notarantonio and Paul Burns ran on to the street, armed with a variety of weapons, and began attacking Mr Devlin. Seeing their relative being assaulted, Mr Loughran and Mr McCabe ran to his aid. It was during the resulting brawl that Francisco Notarantonio inflicted the fatal stab wound. Mr Devlin was taken to hospital where he died.

In the hours after the fight  angry crowds gathered in Whitecliff Parade. The home of Victor Notarantonio was attacked before the PSNI and community activists managed to restore calm.

Three days later police discovered a bloodied knife hidden in a garden in Ballymurphy Road. It contained blood belonging to Mr Devlin and Mr McCabe.

During questioning Francisco Notarantonio told detectives he had a knife but did not stab anyone.

But he would later plead guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Devlin, the malicious wounding of Anthony McCabe, and the attempted malicious wounding of Thomas Loughran.

The court was told Francisco Notarantonio has a previous drugs conviction.

Anthony Notarantonio has convictions for possession of firearms with intent, and possession of documents likely to be of use to terrorists. He was sentenced to eight years for these offences before being freed on licence in 2005 having served half his sentence.

Because the terms of his licence do not expire until 2009, Anthony Notarantonio may have to serve the full term of his original sentence on top of that which he receives for affray.

The court was told the three others – Christopher Notarantonio, William Notarantonio and Paul Burns – do not have criminal records.

The five men are due to be sentenced later this month.

A packed public gallery heard Mr Justice Stephens say he would defer sentencing until a later date.

A dozen PSNI officers, some in riot gear, separated around 20 members of the Notarantonio family from 30 members of the Devlin family.