Thursday 29 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. 9114Murder · Co. Kerry · 27 May 2024

Jury discharged in murder trial of three accused over Kerry killing

Gerard Kennelly, a man in his mid-30s and a father-of-one from north Kerry, was found with fatal stab injuries at Knockanure village, near Listowel, in the early hours of 27 May 2024. Kieran Brady, aged in his mid-30s, Abigail Lynch, aged 24, and Kane Hornyak, aged 29, were charged with his murder and each pleaded not guilty. Their trial began at the Central Criminal Court, sitting in Limerick, but on 10 June 2026 Mr Justice Patrick McGrath discharged the jury and postponed the trial over legal issues about disclosure of evidence. The latest development is a pre-trial hearing set for 20 July, with the trial not expected to resume until next year.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court10 Jun
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Three people are on trial charged with murdering Gerard Kennelly, a man in County Kerry.
Where
Gerard Kennelly was found with fatal stab injuries at Knockanure village, near Listowel, County Kerry.
When
Gerard Kennelly was found in the early hours of 27 May 2024.
Cause
Gerard Kennelly died following fatal stab injuries.
Other details
  • Gerard Kennelly was a father-of-one from north Kerry.
  • Kieran Brady, aged in his mid-30s, has an address at Upper Athea, County Limerick.
  • Abigail Lynch, aged 24, has an address at Woodview Place, Tarbert, County Kerry.
  • Kane Hornyak, aged 29, has an address at Doon Road, Ballybunion, County Kerry.
Charges
  • All three accused face a single charge of murdering Gerard Kennelly.
  • Kieran Brady, Abigail Lynch and Kane Hornyak each pleaded not guilty to the murder of Gerard Kennelly.
In court
  • The trial was postponed at the Central Criminal Court, sitting in Limerick, on 10 June 2026 after the jury was discharged.
  • Mr Justice Patrick McGrath discharged the jury because of legal issues around disclosure of evidence, and said the matters had nothing to do with the jury itself.
  • The judge said the accused would not get a fair trial if the case continued, because evidential material was not provided to all of the accused.
  • A pre-trial hearing is set for 20 July, and the trial is expected to begin next year.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThree people are on trial charged with murdering a man in County Kerry. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whereGerard Kennelly was found with fatal stab injuries at Knockanure village, near Listowel. (rte.ie, limerickpost.ie)
  • whenGerard Kennelly was found in the early hours of 27 May 2024. (rte.ie)
  • whenGerard Kennelly was found in the early hours of May 27, 2024. (limerickpost.ie)
  • causeGerard Kennelly died following fatal stab injuries. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe three accused have pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder. (rte.ie)
  • chargeAll three accused face a single charge of murdering Gerard Kennelly. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe trial was postponed at the Central Criminal Court due to legal issues. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe jury was discharged by Mr Justice McGrath. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge said the accused would not get a fair trial if the case continued. (rte.ie)
  • courtA pre-trial hearing is set for 20 July, and the trial is expected to begin early next year. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe jury was discharged because of legal issues around disclosure of evidence. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe article says the jury was discharged for reasons unconnected to the jury itself. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe trial could not immediately continue and proceedings were adjourned to a pre-trial hearing on July 20. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtKieran Brady, Abigail Lynch and Kane Hornyak each pleaded not guilty to the murder of Gerard Kennelly. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherThe judge said evidential material was not provided to all of the accused. (rte.ie)
  • otherGerard Kennelly was a father-of-one from north Kerry. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherKieran Brady has an address at Upper Athea, County Limerick. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherAbigail Lynch has an address at Woodview Place, Tarbert, County Kerry. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherKane Hornyak has an address at Doon Road, Ballybunion, County Kerry. (limerickpost.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Jun2026
    In courtlimerickpost.ie, follow-up
    Jury discharged in trial of three accused of murder

    Reports that the jury in the Central Criminal Court trial was discharged over legal issues about disclosure of evidence, and that the trial was adjourned to a pre-trial hearing on July 20. The three accused had pleaded not guilty to the murder.

    victim, Gerard Kennelly, mid 30s, male, irish (judged from name)Gerard Kennellyaccused, Kieran Brady, mid 30s, named, irish (judged from name)Kieran Bradyaccused, Abigail Lynch, 24, female, named, irish (judged from name)Abigail Lynchaccused, Kane Hornyak, 29, namedKane Hornyak
  2. 10 Jun2026
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Judge postpones Kerry murder trial over legal issues

    Trial of three accused for the murder of Gerard Kennelly postponed after evidential material was not provided to all accused; pre-trial hearing set for 20 July.

    victim, Gerard Kennelly, irish (judged from name)Gerard Kennellyaccused, Kieran Brady, mid-30s, named, irish (judged from name)Kieran Bradyaccused, Abigail Lynch, 24, named, irish (judged from name)Abigail Lynchaccused, Kane Hornyak, 29, named, non-irish (judged from name)Kane Hornyak