A deal has been reached for a reduced sentence of 15 years at the Spanish trial of an Irish man accused of beating his partner to death at their holiday home three years ago.

31-year-old Paul Hickey from Darndale in Dublin is charged with beating his 28-year-old partner Celine Conroy to death in front of their children in their villa near Alicante in 2005.

Just after 2pm local time this afternoon, the two state prosecutors, the Conroy family's solicitor and the defence solicitor agreed on the 15-year sentence, minus the three years he has already served.

Under Spanish law he could have been sentenced to up to 20 years.

Paul Hickey's defence team insisted in court that he did not intend to cause unnecessary or gratuitous suffering to the victim.

Hickey also apologised for everything that happened.

The couple's children were not present in court and were not required to give evidence.

A group of Celine Conroy's family were present outside the court and insults were shouted at Paul Hickey as he was lead from the building.

The jury must now consider the deal agreed and they are expected to return to court with a verdict at 5pm local time.