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. 3563Murder · Co. Dublin · 28 Feb 2006

Family of Siobhán McLaughlin 'distressed' after killer Brian Kearney granted day release

The family of Siobhán McLaughlin, murdered by her husband Brian Kearney in Goatstown, south Dublin, in 2006, said they are distressed after he was granted day release from Wheatfield Prison under section 39 of the Prisons Act 2007. Kearney, who was sentenced to life in 2008, is set to have a parole hearing in April.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSiobhán McLaughlin, 38, was murdered by her husband Brian Kearney at their family home in Goatstown, south Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe murder took place on 28 February 2006. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponKearney used the flex of a vacuum cleaner as a ligature before trying to hoist his wife over a door in her bedroom. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtKearney was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of murder at the Central Criminal Court two years after the killing. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtKearney is set to have a parole hearing in April. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherSiobhán was in the process of filing for a divorce at the time of her murder. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherKearney will be taken to a neutral venue in Dublin and escorted at all times by two prisoner officers. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe average life term served in prison is about 19 years. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherKearney has never acknowledged his crime or shown any remorse. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherSiobhán was the fifth of eight children. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Mar2026
    Otheririshtimes.com, follow-up
    Family of woman murdered by husband in Dublin ‘distressed’ after killer granted day release

    Reports the victim's family's reaction to Kearney's day release from Wheatfield Prison, details of the release arrangement, and the family's concerns ahead of his April parole hearing.

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