Ireland Case No. 0578Murder · Co. Mayo · 13 Jun 2019
James Kilroy to appeal murder conviction for stabbing and strangling wife in Westport
James Kilroy, a 53-year-old former park ranger, was unanimously convicted of murdering his wife Valerie French Kilroy, 41, at their home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo, between June 13th and 14th, 2019, after beating, stabbing and strangling her. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but a jury rejected the claim following three Central Criminal Court trials, the first two of which collapsed due to unforeseen difficulties. He was sentenced to life. At a Court of Appeal directions hearing in July 2026, Judge Isobel Kennedy fixed his appeal against conviction for 19 January 2027.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court17 Jul
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- James Kilroy beat, stabbed and strangled his wife Valerie French Kilroy at their home.
- Where
- The murder took place at their home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo.
- When
- The murder occurred between June 13th and June 14th, 2019.
- Weapon
- Kilroy attacked his wife with a knife and beat and strangled her.
- Cause
- The postmortem found ligature marks to the neck, a stab wound to the throat, multiple injuries to the face and head consistent with repeated blunt force trauma, and incised wounds on both hands suggestive of defence-type injuries.
- Investigation
- Kilroy was found wandering naked in a nearby field some hours later, and Gardaí subsequently found the victim's body in a camper van.
- Charges
- Kilroy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder.
- In court
- He was unanimously convicted after three Central Criminal Court trials, the first two of which collapsed due to unforeseen difficulties during the evidence.
- At a Court of Appeal directions hearing in July 2026, Judge Isobel Kennedy fixed the appeal against conviction for 19 January 2027, with barrister Conor McKenna representing Kilroy.
- Sentence
- Kilroy is serving a life sentence for the murder.
- Other details
- Psychiatrists disagreed on whether cannabis-induced psychosis is a mental disorder under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act, and Kilroy was a regular cannabis user with a previous psychotic episode related to drug use in 2001.
27 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe murder took place at their home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder occurred between June 13th and June 14th, 2019 (irishtimes.com)
- causeMultiple injuries to the face and head were consistent with repeated blunt force trauma. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponKilroy attacked his wife with a knife and beat and strangled her (irishtimes.com)
- weaponKilroy set upon his wife with a knife and beat and strangled her. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeKilroy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe conviction followed three Central Criminal Court trials (irishtimes.com)
- courtBarrister Conor McKenna represented Kilroy at the directions hearing (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge fixed January 19th, 2027, as the hearing date for the appeal (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe was unanimously convicted after three Central Criminal Court trials. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe appeal hearing was fixed for 19 January 2027. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherKilroy is serving a life sentence for the murder of his wife (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe was unanimously convicted of murdering Valerie French Kilroy (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe jury rejected his claim that he was insane when he beat, stabbed and strangled her (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe two previous trials collapsed due to unforeseen difficulties (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe was found some hours later wandering naked in a nearby field (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe postmortem noted ligature marks to the neck and a stab wound to the throat (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherMultiple injuries to the face and head were in keeping with repeated blunt force trauma (irishtimes.com)
- otherIncised wounds on both hands were suggestive of defence-type injuries (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherPsychiatrists disagreed on whether cannabis-induced psychosis is a mental disorder under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherKilroy was a regular user of cannabis (irishtimes.com)
- otherKilroy had a previous psychotic episode related to drug use in 2001 (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe jury consisted of eight women and four men (irishtimes.com)
- otherTwo previous trials collapsed due to unforeseen difficulties during the evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherKilroy was found wandering naked in a nearby field some hours later. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherGardaí found the victim's beaten and bloodied body in a camper van. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherKilroy was a regular cannabis user with a previous psychotic episode related to drug use in 2001. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 17 Jul2026Park ranger who stabbed and strangled wife to death to appeal conviction
Appeal hearing date fixed for 19 January 2027 at the Court of Appeal before Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy; submissions lodged by barrister Conor McKenna.
victim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroyconvicted, James Kilroy, 53, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroy - 17 Jul2026James Kilroy appeal against conviction for murder of wife to be heard next year
Details the Court of Appeal directions hearing where Judge Isobel Kennedy fixed the appeal for 19 January 2027, and provides additional trial details including postmortem findings by Dr Linda Mulligan, Kilroy's delusional beliefs, his cannabis history, and the jury's composition and deliberation time.
victim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroyconvicted, James Kilroy, 53, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroy