Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 3931Murder · Co. Dublin

Family of murdered Siobhan McLaughlin fear killer Brian Kearney may be freed at parole hearing

The family of Siobhan McLaughlin, who was strangled by her husband Brian Kearney in 2008 in Goatstown, Dublin, have expressed fears that he will be granted temporary release at his upcoming parole hearing. Kearney, 67, is serving a life sentence at Wheatfield Prison and has not admitted his crime.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court1 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe murder took place at the couple's home in Goatstown, Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponKearney used a vacuum cleaner flex to strangle his wife Siobhan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtKearney has a parole hearing in the coming weeks. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceKearney was jailed for life in 2008. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherKearney pulled the vacuum cleaner flex over the en-suite door to make it look like suicide. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherSiobhan was a mother of one. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherKearney has studied Spanish, first aid and law in prison. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherSiobhan's mother Deirdre is 85 and her father Owen is 92. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherEvery member of the McLaughlin family is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherKearney throttled Siobhan twice, threw her over a door and locked her in the bedroom. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherKearney abandoned his young son after giving him a bowl of Coco Pops. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherKearney has a hotel and business in Spain. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Feb2026
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Family fears Siobhan McLaughlin’s killer may be freed within weeks

    Reports the McLaughlin family's concerns and submissions ahead of Brian Kearney's upcoming parole hearing, with quotes from Siobhan's sisters Brighid and Anne Marie McLaughlin.

    victim, Siobhan McLaughlin, 38, female, irish (judged from name)Siobhan McLaughlinconvicted, Brian Kearney, 67, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brian Kearney