Former scout leader Neville Kearns found to have died by suicide day before sex abuse trial
Former scout leader Neville Kearns, a man aged 69, died in a single-vehicle collision in Churchtown, south Dublin, shortly after 6am on 7 April 2024. He had been due to stand trial the following day on 113 counts including indecent assault, sexual assault, rape and attempted rape, relating to allegations by five complainants dating back to the 1980s and 1990s. Dublin coroner Dr Clare Keane recorded a verdict of suicide at an inquest, noting the cause of death was thoracic and musculoskeletal injuries consistent with a collision. The inquest heard evidence of premeditation, including a will, paid funeral arrangements, and a note in which Kearns wrote he was 'tired of it all'.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court2 Sep
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Kearns died in a single-vehicle collision when his red 2002 Toyota Hiace van crashed into a tree on the wrong side of Churchtown Road Upper.
- Where
- Churchtown, south Dublin.
- When
- Shortly after 6am on 7 April 2024.
- Cause
- The cause of death was thoracic and musculoskeletal injuries consistent with a collision.
- Charges
- Kearns was due to stand trial on 113 counts including indecent assault, sexual assault, rape and attempted rape.
- In court
- Dublin coroner Dr Clare Keane recorded a verdict of suicide at an inquest into Kearns's death.
- Other details
- The allegations were made by five complainants and dated back to the 1980s and 1990s.
- Kearns was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision.
- At the time of his death, Kearns was a caretaker at Edenvale Apartments on Grange Road, Rathfarnham, and lived in a campervan on the grounds.
- The inquest heard evidence of premeditation including a will, paid funeral arrangements, and a note in which Kearns wrote he was 'tired of it all'.
- There was no third-party involvement or anything of a suspicious nature related to Kearns's death.
- Kearns was a member of the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland in the 1970s before setting up his own unofficial scouting group.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatKearns died in a single-vehicle collision in Churchtown, south Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whatKearns was pronounced dead at the scene at 6.34am. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA red 2002 Toyota Hiace van crashed into a tree on the wrong side of Churchtown Road Upper. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe collision occurred shortly after 6am on 7 April 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe cause of death was thoracic and musculoskeletal injuries consistent with a collision. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe charges included indecent assault, sexual assault, rape and attempted rape. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA verdict of suicide was recorded at an inquest into Kearns's death. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe was due to stand trial the following day on 113 counts. (irishtimes.com)
- courtDublin coroner Dr Clare Keane recorded the verdict. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe allegations were made by five complainants and dated back to the 1980s and 1990s. (irishtimes.com)
- otherKearns was not wearing a seat belt. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAt the time of his death, Kearns was a caretaker at Edenvale Apartments on Grange Road, Rathfarnham, and lived in a campervan on the grounds. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe funeral receipts dated from 2020 when gardaí first contacted Kearns about the abuse allegations. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe crash location was close to where Kearns held unofficial scout meetings decades earlier. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThere was no third-party involvement or anything of a suspicious nature related to Kearns's death. (irishtimes.com)
- otherKearns was a member of the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland in the 1970s before setting up his own unofficial scouting group. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 2 Sep2025Former scout leader died by suicide day before trial on sex abuse charges, coroner finds
Inquest verdict of suicide recorded; details of the collision, the underlying 113-count sexual abuse trial, and evidence of premeditation (will, paid funeral, note saying he was 'tired of it all') presented.
accused, Neville Kearns, 69, male, named, irish (judged from name)Neville Kearnsvictim, male