Kilroy murder appeal fixed for January 2027 in Mayo
James Kilroy, a 53-year-old park ranger, is accused of beating, stabbing and strangling his wife Valerie French Kilroy, a 41-year-old occupational therapist and mother of three, at their home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo, between 13 and 14 June 2019. He was found naked in a field the following morning and told gardaí he had killed her. After two trials collapsed in 2023, a jury at the Central Criminal Court unanimously convicted him of murder in July 2024, rejecting his not guilty by reason of insanity plea, and he was sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment. The Court of Appeal has fixed his appeal hearing for 19 January 2027.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court15 Mar
32 reports - Convicted26 Jul
5 reports - Sentenced29 Jul
3 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Valerie French Kilroy's body was found in a green campervan in a shed at the home, in the foetal position with a child's car seat over her face.
- Where
- The killing took place at the couple's rural home at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo.
- When
- The murder occurred between 13 and 14 June 2019.
- Cause
- The Chief State Pathologist found Valerie died from ligature strangulation, blunt force trauma to the head, and a stab wound to the neck.
- Weapon
- Kilroy attacked his wife with a knife, described variously as a 20cm knife bent sideways, a black serrated 12-inch knife, or a kitchen knife, and a ligature.
- Investigation
- Gardaí found Kilroy naked in a field near the home on 14 June 2019, detained him under the Mental Health Act, and he told them he had killed his wife.
- Charges
- James Kilroy is charged with murdering Valerie French Kilroy, 41, between 13 and 14 June 2019.
- In court
- Two earlier trials at the Central Criminal Court collapsed in March and November 2023, and at the third trial in July 2024 a jury unanimously convicted Kilroy of murder, rejecting his not guilty by reason of insanity plea.
- Sentence
- Kilroy was sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment by Justice Tony Hunt at the Central Criminal Court in July 2024.
- Other details
- Kilroy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, claiming cannabis-induced psychosis, and defence and prosecution psychiatrists disagreed on whether this met the criteria for the insanity defence.
- The Court of Appeal fixed Kilroy's appeal hearing for 19 January 2027.
- Kilroy was a regular cannabis user with a previous drug-related psychotic episode in 2001.
403 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí found Valerie's body in the foetal position on the floor of a campervan with her bloodied hand protruding outside the sliding door and a child's car seat over her face. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatKilroy described to gardaí how he waited in the long grass at night for his wife to return home from a meeting with friends before carrying out a dark and frenzied attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJames Kilroy is 49 years old and a park ranger. (irishtimes.com)
- whatKilroy was found naked in a field near Westport on 14 June 2019. (rte.ie)
- whatGardaí found the couple's three young children hungry and dirty in the house. (rte.ie)
- whatThe body of Valerie French Kilroy was found on the floor of a camper van in a shed on the property. (rte.ie)
- whatValerie French Kilroy worked as an occupational therapist with Mayo Mental Health services. (rte.ie)
- whatShe and James Kilroy had been married for more than 11 years and had known each other for the previous ten. (rte.ie)
- whatThere was no history of domestic violence in the relationship. (rte.ie)
- whatGarda Leanne Nallen found Kilroy naked and running around a field on the morning of 14 June. (rte.ie)
- whatKilroy told gardaí he was on a pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick and God had given him the path to follow. (rte.ie)
- whatKilroy claimed he had escaped from his home and that he had killed his wife and kids. (rte.ie)
- whatKilroy said there had been an argument four days previously about him not doing enough. (rte.ie)
- whatThe children were wearing dirty clothes and soiled nappies, and the oldest child thought his parents had gone to work. (rte.ie)
- whatJames Kilroy, 49, is a park ranger with an address at Kilbree Lower, Westport. (irishtimes.com)
- whatValerie French Kilroy was an occupational therapist and a mother of three. (irishtimes.com)
- whatJames Kilroy, 49, a park ranger at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo, is charged with murdering Valerie French Kilroy, 41, mother of three. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatKilroy described to gardaí how he waited in the long grass at night for his wife to return home before carrying out a dark and frenzied attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJames Kilroy is 49 years old (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatJames Kilroy is a park ranger (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatValerie French Kilroy is 41 years old (irishtimes.com)
- whatValerie French Kilroy was a mother of three (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatValerie French Kilroy was 41 years old (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJames Kilroy is a 49-year-old park ranger with an address at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo (rte.ie)
- whatValerie French Kilroy, 41, was killed at the couple's rural home. (thejournal.ie)
- whatA garda saw a body in the camper van, which was later identified as Valerie French Kilroy. (irishtimes.com)
- whatJames Kilroy has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering Valerie French Kilroy. (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused admits killing his wife. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGardaí found Valerie French Kilroy's body in a green camper van in a shed at the home. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused admits killing his wife at their rural Co Mayo home. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJames Kilroy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering Valerie French Kilroy. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatJames Kilroy admits killing his wife Valerie at their rural Co Mayo home. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatThe second murder trial of James Kilroy has collapsed. (thejournal.ie)
- whatMr Kilroy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering occupational therapist Valerie French Kilroy. (rte.ie)
- whatThe murder trial of James Kilroy has collapsed for a second time. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJames Kilroy is on trial at the Central Criminal Court for murdering his wife. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAfter the killing he was found walking naked in a field near his home. (irishtimes.com)
- whatKilroy spoke of being watched by body guards and believed the year was 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- whatKilroy said he smoked cannabis about 10 days before the assessment. (irishtimes.com)
- whatKilroy used to grow his own cannabis in a polytunnel beside his home. (irishtimes.com)
- whatJames Kilroy, 51, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering his wife. (irishtimes.com)
- whatJames Kilroy has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his wife. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDefence psychiatric evidence said Kilroy was likely suffering from an acute and transient psychotic disorder when he killed his wife. (thejournal.ie)
- whatJames Kilroy is accused of beating, stabbing and strangling his wife to death. (rte.ie)
- whatValerie French Kilroy was beaten, stabbed and strangled to death by her husband. (irishtimes.com)
- whatJames Kilroy was found guilty of murdering his wife, Valerie French Kilroy. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA jury unanimously convicted Kilroy of murdering his wife. (rte.ie)
- whatA jury found James Kilroy guilty of his wife's murder. (thejournal.ie)
- whatValerie French Kilroy had been out with friends before she was killed. (thejournal.ie)
- whatA jury unanimously convicted James Kilroy of murdering his wife, Valerie French Kilroy. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatValerie French Kilroy, 41, an occupational therapist, was murdered by her husband. (irishtimes.com)
- whatJames Kilroy has been granted legal aid to appeal his conviction. (irishmirror.ie, thejournal.ie)
- whereHis address is Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThey lived in a bungalow in a remote area around 6km from Westport. (rte.ie)
- whereJames Kilroy lives at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe killing took place at the couple's rural home at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo. (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whereThe killing is alleged to have taken place at the couple's rural home at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo. (irishtimes.com)
- whereA green camper van was parked in a shed at the back of the house. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe killing is alleged to have happened at the couple's rural home at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- whereThe killing happened at the couple's rural home at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe killing happened at their rural home at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe killing happened at the couple's home at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe killing took place at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe murder took place at their home at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe killing took place at the couple's home at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe killing happened at the couple's home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo. (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe murder took place at the couple's home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo. (irishtimes.com, rte.ie)
- whereThe killing took place at the couple's home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo. (rte.ie)
- whereThe killing happened at the couple's rural Mayo home. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe couple's home is in Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe murder happened at the couple's home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo. (thejournal.ie)
- whereHer body was found at her home in Kilbree Lower, near Islandeady, Co Mayo. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe murder took place at their home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo (irishtimes.com)
- whenValerie French Kilroy was killed between arriving home on the night of 13 June 2019 from a friend's house and the following afternoon. (rte.ie)
- whenThe murder occurred between 13 and 14 June 2019 (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe murder occurred between 13 June 2019 and 14 June 2019 (rte.ie)
- whenThe killing is alleged to have happened between 13 and 14 June 2019. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com, rte.ie)
- whenThe murder is alleged to have taken place between 13 and 14 June 2019. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe killing is alleged to have happened between June 13 and June 14, 2019. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe murder is alleged to have happened between 13 and 14 June 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe killing happened between June 13th and 14th, 2019. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder happened between June 13, 2019 and June 14, 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe killing took place between June 13th and June 14th, 2019. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe killing happened between 13 and 14 June 2019. (irishmirror.ie, thejournal.ie)
- whenThe killing occurred between June 13, 2019 and June 14, 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe killing took place between June 13 and June 14, 2019. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe killing took place between June 13 and 14, 2019. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder took place between June 13 and June 14, 2019. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder occurred between June 13th and June 14th, 2019. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe killing took place between 13 June and 14 June 2019. (rte.ie)
- whenThe killing happened between June 13th and June 14th, 2019. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder happened between June 13 and June 14, 2019. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder took place between 13 and 14 June 2019. (rte.ie, thejournal.ie)
- whenHer body was found on June 14th, 2019. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder took place between June 13th and June 14th, 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe Chief State Pathologist said Valerie died from ligature strangulation, blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to the neck. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe Chief State Pathologist said she died from ligature strangulation, blunt force trauma to the head, and a stab wound to the neck. (irishtimes.com)
- causeShe had been strangled with a ligature. (rte.ie)
- causeShe suffered a stab wound to her neck. (rte.ie)
- causeShe suffered blunt force trauma to her head. (rte.ie)
- causeThe Chief State Pathologist said Valerie French Kilroy died from ligature strangulation, blunt force trauma to the head, and a stab wound to the neck. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe post-mortem reported the cause of death as ligature strangulation, blunt force trauma and a stab wound to the neck. (thejournal.ie)
- causeIt appeared Valerie French Kilroy had met a violent death. (irishtimes.com)
- causeKilroy told a psychiatrist that he had stabbed his wife in the throat with a kitchen knife. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe accused said he stabbed the victim in the throat using a kitchen knife. (irishtimes.com)
- causeValerie French Kilroy died from strangulation with a ligature, blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to the neck. (irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie)
- causeThe victim died from strangulation with a ligature, blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to the neck. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe jury heard that Ms French Kilroy died from strangulation, blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to the neck. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe jury heard that Ms French Kilroy died from strangulation with a ligature, blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to the neck. (rte.ie)
- causeThe victim had a violent death from blunt force trauma, strangulation and a stab wound. (irishtimes.com)
- causeValerie French Kilroy died from ligature strangulation combined with blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to the neck. (irishtimes.com)
- causeBlood loss from wounds to her hands contributed to her death. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe victim died from strangulation, blunt force trauma and a stab wound to the neck. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe victim died from strangulation, blunt force trauma to the face and a stab wound to the neck. (irishtimes.com)
- causeKilroy strangled, beat and stabbed his wife to death. (thejournal.ie)
- causeKilroy attacked his wife with a knife after she arrived home from a night out. (irishtimes.com)
- causeEvidence showed Kilroy was a regular cannabis user and had a previous drug-related psychotic episode in 2001. (irishtimes.com)
- causeKilroy beat, stabbed and strangled his wife to death. (rte.ie, irishmirror.ie, thejournal.ie)
- causeJames Kilroy attacked his wife when she arrived home. (thejournal.ie)
- causeThe cause of death was ligature strangulation, combined with blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to the neck. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThere was evidence that Kilroy used a ligature and that his wife struggled. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeMultiple injuries to the face and head were consistent with repeated blunt force trauma. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponA 20cm knife bent sideways to almost a right angle was shown to the jury. (thejournal.ie)
- weaponKilroy told the psychiatrist he had stabbed his wife in the throat using a kitchen knife. (thejournal.ie)
- weaponThe accused said he used a black serrated 12 inch knife. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponKilroy said he stabbed his wife with a kitchen knife to the throat. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponKilroy attacked his wife with a knife. (irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- weaponKilroy set upon his wife with a knife. (rte.ie)
- weaponThere was evidence that Kilroy used a ligature. (thejournal.ie)
- weaponKilroy attacked his wife with a knife when she came home. (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)
- investigationGardaí detained Kilroy under the Mental Health Act. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí found a camper van parked face-first into a shed at the house and inside it the body of Ms French Kilroy. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe scene was preserved and an extensive Garda investigation began. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí found Kilroy naked in a field and detained him under the Mental Health Act. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA garda at the home observed blood splatter on the bathroom wall and large clumps of hair in the sink. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí went to the accused's home at Kilbree Lower at 3pm on June 14 and found the body of Valerie French Kilroy in a green campervan in a shed. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationKilroy asked to speak to gardaí to make a confession and said he had killed his wife. (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí found the victim's body in a green campervan parked facing a wall in a shed. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí found the victim's body in a green camper van parked facing a wall in a shed at the home. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationAfter being taken to Mayo University Hospital, the accused asked to speak to gardaí to make a confession. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí detained the accused under the Mental Health Act after finding him naked in a field. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí detained Mr Kilroy under the Mental Health Act after finding him naked in a field. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie, irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationWhen brought to hospital, Mr Kilroy told gardaí that he wanted to make a confession. (rte.ie)
- investigationPsychiatrists disagree on whether Mr Kilroy meets the criteria for an insanity verdict. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationState Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan noted ligature marks to the neck, a stab wound to the throat, and multiple injuries to the face and head in keeping with repeated blunt force trauma. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA blood test taken on the day of arrest was negative for cannabis and metabolites. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí took Mr Kilroy to Mayo University Hospital to be assessed under the Mental Health Act. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationBoth the blood and urine tests were negative for THC, the intoxicating component of cannabis. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí found Kilroy hours later wandering naked through a field, covered in thorn scratches. (rte.ie)
- investigationKilroy was found hours later wandering naked in a nearby field. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí found Kilroy some hours later wandering naked in a nearby field. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe State Pathologist found the victim died from ligature strangulation combined with blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to the neck. (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí found Kilroy hours later, naked in a nearby field. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationKilroy gave gardaí and psychiatrists accounts of delusional beliefs. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí found Kilroy a short time later, wandering naked in a field. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí found Valerie French Kilroy's beaten and bloodied body in a camper van at the home. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí in Westport and Castlebar carried out the investigation, which the family described as a text book investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationKilroy was found some hours later wandering naked in a nearby field. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeJames Kilroy, 49, a park ranger from Kilbree Lower, Westport, is charged with murdering Valerie French Kilroy, 41, between 13 and 14 June 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeKilroy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe is charged with murdering Valerie French Kilroy, 41, on a date unknown between 13 and 14 June 2019. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeJames Kilroy, 49, from Westport, admitted killing his wife but pleaded not guilty to murder by reason of insanity. (rte.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with murdering Valerie French Kilroy, 41, at their home between 13 and 14 June 2019. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeJames Kilroy is charged with murdering Valerie French Kilroy (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe is charged with murdering Valerie French Kilroy, 41, a mother of three (rte.ie)
- chargeKilroy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the sole charge of murder. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeJames Kilroy is on trial accused of murdering his wife. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMr Kilroy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murder. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- chargeMr Kilroy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering Valerie French Kilroy. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeMr Kilroy has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering his wife. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe DPP's position is that Mr Kilroy is guilty of murder. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeKilroy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder charge. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeJames Kilroy has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering his wife. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe murder trial was adjourned until Monday after an unforeseen matter arose. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMs Justice Mary Ellen Ring told the jury of ten men and two women that a matter had arisen unknown to all parties. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJustice Mary Ellen Ring told the jury that a matter had arisen unknown to all parties. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury consists of ten men and two women. (irishtimes.com)
- courtPatrick Gageby SC is defending Kilroy and made formal admissions including that he killed his wife. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury was discharged after being told the trial had hit a bump in the road and further time was needed. (rte.ie)
- courtMs Justice Mary Ellen Ring told the jurors the trial had hit a bump in the road and she would have to discharge them. (rte.ie)
- courtThe case will be mentioned again on 27 March. (rte.ie)
- courtThe trial had been sitting since 8 March 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- courtDefence counsel Patrick Gageby SC made formal admissions on behalf of Kilroy including that he killed his wife. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial collapsed at the Central Criminal Court on 20 March 2023 due to an unexpected complex matter. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial had been sitting since 8 March 2023 and had heard a week of evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMs Justice Mary Ellen Ring discharged the 12 jurors (ten men and two women). (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe jurors were exempted from jury service for seven years. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial was listed for mention before the Central Criminal Court on 27 March 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe murder trial of James Kilroy collapsed. (extra.ie)
- courtKilroy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity at his trial in March 2023 (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury consisted of ten men and two women (irishtimes.com)
- courtPatrick Gageby SC is defending James Kilroy (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Anne Marie Lawlor SC is prosecuting (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe defence intends to correspond with the Director of Public Prosecutions (irishtimes.com)
- courtA case management date of 30 June 2023 was set (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, rte.ie)
- courtThe judge granted the defence transcripts from the earlier trial (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe defence made formal admissions that Kilroy killed his wife Valerie (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe first trial collapsed on 20 March 2023 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial collapsed due to an unexpected complex matter (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe retrial is set for 6 November 2023 at the Central Criminal Court (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe defence made formal admissions including that Kilroy killed his wife (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe defence intends to correspond with the DPP (irishmirror.ie)
- courtAt the second trial, Kilroy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity (rte.ie)
- courtThe trial collapsed after an unexpected, complex matter arose (rte.ie)
- courtJustice Mary Ellen Ring discharged the jury of ten men and two women on 20 March (rte.ie)
- courtPatrick Gageby SC is defending Kilroy and asked for the November date due to difficulties with doctors (rte.ie)
- courtJustice Ring set 6 November 2023 as the retrial date at the Central Criminal Court (rte.ie)
- courtAnne Marie Lawlor SC is prosecuting (rte.ie)
- courtThe judge granted the defence a request for transcripts from the earlier trial (rte.ie)
- courtThe defence made formal admissions during the first trial, including that Kilroy killed his wife Valerie (rte.ie)
- courtThe trial is before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven women and five men, and is expected to last up to three weeks. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe trial is before the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtKilroy has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. (irishtimes.com)
- courtPsychiatric testimony from expert witnesses is expected to be central to the jury's verdict. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven women and five men. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial continues on Monday before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven women and five men. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe prosecution said psychiatric testimony from expert witnesses will be central to the jury's verdict. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury, and it continues on Monday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe prosecution's case has closed. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe accused has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering the victim. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case is being heard by a Central Criminal Court jury. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe prosecution case was closed after the garda evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial was due to continue on Wednesday before Mr Justice Paul McDermott. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case is being heard before the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtPsychiatrist Dr Ronan Mullaney found that the accused had a substance-induced psychotic episode when he killed his wife. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtToxicologist Dr Johann Grundlingh said it was likely the accused was not under the influence of cannabis on 14 June. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven women and five men. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe court could not continue with the trial after a key defence witness became unavailable. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe trial had been sitting since 8 November. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe jurors were discharged and exempted from jury service for ten years. (thejournal.ie)
- courtMr Kilroy was remanded in custody and his case was listed to fix dates on 28 November. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- courtMr Kilroy's first trial collapsed before the Central Criminal Court the previous March. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe trial collapsed for a second time at the Central Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
- courtA key defence witness, psychiatrist Professor Keith Rix, is unavailable and will not be available in the immediate future. (rte.ie)
- courtThe judge said the court could not continue with the trial. (rte.ie)
- courtThe jury was discharged and the case will have to go to a further trial before a different jury. (rte.ie)
- courtThe judge exempted the jurors from jury service for ten years. (rte.ie)
- courtDefence counsel Patrick Gageby SC made formal admissions on his client's behalf in both trials, including that he killed his wife Valerie. (rte.ie)
- courtMr Kilroy's first trial collapsed before the Central Criminal Court in March. (rte.ie)
- courtThe trial had been sitting since November 8. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge said the court could not continue with the trial and discharged the jury. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge said the trial will have to go to a further date before a different jury. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMr Kilroy's first trial collapsed last March. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMr Kilroy was remanded in custody. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial has been sitting since November 8th and had heard nearly two weeks of evidence. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial collapsed for a second time because defence psychiatrist Prof Keith Rix is unavailable. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge said the trial cannot continue and discharged the jury. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe first trial collapsed at the Central Criminal Court last March. (irishtimes.com)
- courtAnne-Marie Lawlor SC prosecutes for the Director of Public Prosecutions. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury has eight women and four men. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and the jury. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial is before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of eight women and four men at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe prosecution said psychiatric testimony will be in conflict over whether the defendant was insane at the time of the killing. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe defence accepts that the accused killed his wife. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA psychiatrist told the Central Criminal Court that Kilroy was likely suffering from drug-induced psychosis after many years of cannabis use. (irishtimes.com)
- courtCross-examination of the psychiatrist will continue before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury has been told that Mr Kilroy accepts he killed his wife. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe defence psychiatrist said Mr Kilroy was most likely suffering from cannabis-induced psychosis at the time of the killing. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA prosecution expert said drug-induced psychosis does not meet the criteria for a mental disorder under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe prosecution expert said the most straightforward diagnosis for Mr Kilroy is cannabis-induced psychosis. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe expert found that Mr Kilroy understood the nature and quality of his actions, knew they were wrong, and was able to refrain from killing his wife. (irishtimes.com)
- courtKilroy has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering his wife. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- courtConsultant psychiatrist Dr Lisa Wootton was called by the defence. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe trial is being heard at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury consists of eight women and four men. (irishtimes.com, rte.ie)
- courtThe jury was to return on Thursday to hear closing speeches. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, delivered his charge to the jury. (rte.ie)
- courtThe jury had spent less than one hour considering its verdict and was to return the next day. (rte.ie)
- courtThe jury has spent less than one hour considering its verdict and will return on Friday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA jury unanimously convicted Kilroy of murder. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury rejected Kilroy's insanity defence after about two hours. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThis was Kilroy's third trial since 2021, and the two earlier trials collapsed. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe two previous trials collapsed due to unforeseen difficulties during the evidence. (irishtimes.com, rte.ie)
- courtThe jury rejected Kilroy's claim that he was insane when he killed his wife. (rte.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe jury took about two hours to reject Kilroy's defence. (rte.ie)
- courtThe trial judge said the verdict was the correct result on the evidence and that self-induced scenarios are not defences. (rte.ie)
- courtThis was Kilroy's third trial since 2021, and the two previous trials collapsed. (rte.ie)
- courtThe jury rejected Kilroy's defence of not guilty by reason of insanity. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe jury took about two hours to reach its verdict. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe two earlier trials collapsed because of unforeseen difficulties in the evidence. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe trial was held at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Tony Hunt. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe jury of eight women and four men took about two hours to reject the defence. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtTwo earlier trials collapsed due to unforeseen difficulties during the evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtA jury found James Kilroy guilty of murder after rejecting his insanity defence. (irishtimes.com)
- courtKilroy was unanimously convicted of murdering Valerie French Kilroy. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe conviction followed three trials at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe two earlier trials collapsed due to unforeseen difficulties. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe jury took about two hours to reject Kilroy's insanity defence. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtKilroy was unanimously convicted of murdering his wife at their home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe conviction followed three Central Criminal Court trials, the first two of which collapsed. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe jury rejected Kilroy's defence that he was insane. (thejournal.ie)
- courtLegal aid for two counsel was granted for Kilroy's conviction appeal. (thejournal.ie)
- courtKilroy's legal aid application was one of twelve heard by the Court of Appeal that morning. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJames Kilroy has been given legal aid to appeal his conviction for murder. (extra.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)
- sentenceMr Kilroy was remanded in custody and his case listed for November 28th to fix dates. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceKilroy will be sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment the following Monday. (rte.ie)
- sentenceKilroy will be sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment the following Monday. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceKilroy is to be sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment the following Monday. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceJames Kilroy was sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment by Justice Tony Hunt at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJames Kilroy was given a life sentence. (extra.ie)
- sentenceKilroy was jailed for life after a jury rejected his insanity claim. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceKilroy was jailed for life last summer. (thejournal.ie)
- otherPatrick Gageby SC, defending Kilroy, made formal admissions including that he killed his wife Valerie. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherPatrick Gageby SC was defending Kilroy and made formal admissions including that he killed his wife. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe trial collapsed over an unexpected matter. (extra.ie)
- otherKilroy told gardaí that he had killed his wife. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe prosecution said psychiatric testimony from expert witnesses would be central to the verdict. (thejournal.ie)
- otherKilroy is a 50-year-old park ranger. (irishtimes.com)
- otherValerie French Kilroy was a 41-year-old occupational therapist. (irishtimes.com)
- otherKilroy told gardaí he was on a pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAt hospital Kilroy said he wanted to make a confession and that he had killed his wife. (irishtimes.com)
- otherKilroy told gardaí he and his wife had had a row and that she had stabbed him in the back. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDr Shortt said Kilroy was examined after gardaí found him running naked in a field outside Westport. (thejournal.ie)
- otherConsultant psychiatrist Dr Camilla Curtis told the jury Kilroy presented with acute psychotic symptoms and was potentially a significant risk to himself and others. (thejournal.ie)
- otherKilroy told the psychiatrist he was on a mission from God to kill his wife. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe prosecutor told the jury Kilroy admits killing Ms French Kilroy four years ago. (thejournal.ie)
- otherDr Curtis said psychotic symptoms like these can arise from cannabis use or other physical health reasons. (thejournal.ie)
- otherKilroy told a psychiatrist he was on a mission from God to kill his wife. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherConsultant psychiatrist Dr Camilla Curtis agreed that Kilroy presented with acute psychotic symptoms and was potentially a significant risk to himself and others. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe accused asked to speak to gardaí and said, "I killed my wife". (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused told a psychiatrist he was on a mission from God to kill the victim. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe consultant psychiatrist said the accused presented with acute psychotic symptoms. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA defence psychiatrist told the court the accused had a long history of cannabis use and used it regularly therapeutically in the three years before his wife's death. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA defence psychiatrist gave evidence that the accused had a long history of cannabis use. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe trial heard the accused had a long history of cannabis use. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDr Ronan Mullaney found that Mr Kilroy had a substance-induced psychotic episode when he killed his wife. (irishtimes.com)
- otherProf Rix said Mr Kilroy was admitted to hospital in October 2001 after a psychotic episode. (irishtimes.com)
- otherProf Rix said Mr Kilroy did not go to work on the day he killed his wife and believed an Airbnb guest was spying on him. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused had a long history of cannabis use. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherDefence psychiatrist Dr Ronan Mullaney gave evidence that Mr Kilroy had a substance-induced psychotic episode when he killed his wife. (rte.ie)
- otherDefence counsel made formal admissions to the court in both trials, including that Mr Kilroy killed his wife. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe trial will restart before a different jury at a later date. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe defence psychiatrist says Mr Kilroy had a mental disorder, cannabis-induced psychosis, at the time of the killing. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge was told intoxication is not a defence to murder or insanity under the law. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe psychiatrist said Kilroy described owls talking to him and communicating with god before the killing. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe psychiatrist concluded Kilroy qualifies for the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe expert described Mr Kilroy as an unreliable historian, and said such matters are for the jury. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Kilroy is 51 years old. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDr Wootton accepted Kilroy could have had cannabis-induced psychosis but preferred a diagnosis of acute and transient psychosis. (thejournal.ie)
- otherKilroy gave various accounts of his disordered thinking, including a belief that his wife was working with Donald Trump's bodyguards in a plot to have him captured, tortured and killed. (thejournal.ie)
- otherDr Wootton said any of the delusions would have stopped Kilroy understanding that his actions were wrong. (thejournal.ie)
- otherDr Wootton said there was evidence his symptoms began about nine days before the killing, when he attended an anti-Trump protest. (thejournal.ie)
- otherProfessor Harry Kennedy, called by the prosecution, said Kilroy was suffering the effects of cannabis intoxication. (thejournal.ie)
- otherProf Harry Kennedy, called by the prosecution, said the accused was not suffering from a mental disorder under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. (irishtimes.com)
- otherProf Kennedy said cannabis-induced psychosis is not a mental disorder under the Act and cannot be used as part of an insanity defence. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDr Ronan Mullaney, called by the defence, said drug-induced psychosis is a mental disorder distinct from intoxication. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDr Mullaney offered the opinion that Mr Kilroy was more likely than not suffering from cannabis-induced psychosis and meets the criteria for the special insanity verdict. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDr Lisa Wootton, also called by the defence, preferred a diagnosis of acute and transient psychotic disorder but believed the accused meets the criteria for the special verdict. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDr Grundlingh found that the symptoms described by Mr Kilroy, including hallucinations and delusions, were not consistent with cannabis intoxication or withdrawal. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDr Grundlingh said cannabis intoxication typically lasts a few hours and can last up to 24 hours. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDefence psychiatrist Dr Ronan Mullaney said Kilroy was suffering from drug-induced psychosis and met the criteria for not guilty by reason of insanity. (rte.ie)
- otherProsecution expert Prof Harry Kennedy said Kilroy was most likely suffering from cannabis intoxication or withdrawal at the time of the killing. (rte.ie)
- otherThe judge told the jury that intoxication cannot be used as a defence under the Act. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDr Ronan Mullaney, called by the defence, said Mr Kilroy was suffering from drug-induced psychosis. (irishtimes.com)
- otherProf Harry Kennedy, called by the prosecution, said Mr Kilroy was most likely suffering from cannabis intoxication or withdrawal at the time of the killing. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDr Lisa Wootton, called by the defence, said Mr Kilroy was most likely suffering from an acute and transient psychotic disorder at the time of the killing. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Kilroy is described as a cannabis user. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe jury rejected his claim that he was insane when he killed her. (irishtimes.com)
- otherEvidence showed Kilroy used a ligature and the victim struggled during the unprovoked attack. (irishtimes.com)
- otherKilroy told gardaí and psychiatrists of delusional beliefs, including that his wife was working with Donald Trump's bodyguards to kill him. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPsychiatrists disagreed on whether cannabis-induced psychosis can be a defence under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe trial judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, said the verdict was the correct result on the evidence. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim's family, who attended every day of the three trials, cried and thanked the jury. (irishtimes.com)
- otherValerie French Kilroy struggled during the unprovoked attack. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThere was evidence that Kilroy regularly used cannabis and had a previous drug-related psychotic episode in 2001. (thejournal.ie)
- otherMembers of the victim's family attended every day of the three trials and cried when the verdict was read. (thejournal.ie)
- otherValerie's three boys were under five when she died. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe family called for a review of the law to stop people who kill their partners from having parental rights to their children. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe murder of Valerie French took place in 2019. (extra.ie)
- otherThe victim is named as Valerie French and was murdered. (extra.ie)
- otherThe victim's brother says the family had no indication her husband would kill her. (extra.ie)
- otherBefore she was killed, Valerie French Kilroy had been on a night out with friends. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherPsychiatrists disagreed on whether cannabis-induced psychosis can be a defence. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherKilroy told gardaí and psychiatrists that his wife was working with Donald Trump's bodyguards. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThere was evidence that Kilroy was a regular cannabis user and had a previous drug-related psychotic episode. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe judge granted legal aid for two counsel in Kilroy's conviction appeal. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherPsychiatrists disagreed on whether cannabis-induced psychosis can be used as a defence. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe murder victim is Valerie French, Kilroy's wife. (extra.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 - 25 Oct2024James Kilroy given legal aid to appeal conviction for murder of wife Valerie French
Reports that James Kilroy has been given legal aid to appeal his conviction for the murder of Valerie French. The article body is a search-widget template with no further detail.
convicted, James Kilroy, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French, irish (judged from name)Valerie French - 25 Oct2024James Kilroy granted legal aid to appeal conviction for murdering his wife Valerie French
Adds that Kilroy was granted legal aid for two counsel to appeal his conviction, that the Court of Appeal heard twelve legal aid applications that day, and that the judge granted legal aid in all but one. Also records the jury's rejection of his insanity defence and the trial judge's comments on cannabis-induced psychosis.
victim, Valerie French Kilroy, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroyconvicted, James Kilroy, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroy - 25 Oct2024Wife killer James Kilroy granted legal aid to appeal murder conviction
Reports that Kilroy was granted legal aid for two counsel to appeal his murder conviction. The article gives the killing as between June 13th and June 14th, 2019, so no single incident date is recorded. It also describes the jury rejecting his insanity defence.
victim, Valerie French Kilroy, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroyconvicted, James Kilroy, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroy - 5 Aug2024Murdered Valerie French's brother says family had no indication her husband would kill her
Family member's comments on the case. The article body is empty apart from the headline, so it adds no details on the killing, the court process or the date.
victim, Valerie French, irish (judged from name)Valerie Frenchsuspect - 29 Jul2024James Kilroy given life sentence for murder of wife Valerie French in 2019
The article body is empty, so the only content is the headline and the publication date (29 July 2024). It reports the life sentence for the murder of Valerie French in 2019, which follows the conviction recorded in case 578.
convicted, James Kilroy, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French, irish (judged from name)Valerie French - 29 Jul2024‘She died in terror for her own life and the lives of her children’: Valerie French Kilroy’s husband jailed
First report of the sentencing. Adds the jury verdict, the sentence, the cause of death and the family's reaction and call for a change in the law.
victim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroyconvicted, James Kilroy, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroy - 26 Jul2024James Kilroy found guilty of wife's murder as insanity defence rejected by jury
Reports the jury verdict after the third trial, the rejection of the insanity defence based on cannabis-induced psychosis, the trial judge's comments, and that sentencing is due the following Monday.
convicted, James Kilroy, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French Kilroy, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroy - 26 Jul2024Valerie French Kilroy murder: Husband found guilty after jury rejects insanity defence
Reports the jury verdict of guilty after the insanity defence was rejected, and that sentencing is due the following Monday. Gives the attack details, the evidence on cannabis use and psychosis, and the earlier collapsed trials.
victim, Valerie French Kilroy, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroyconvicted, James Kilroy, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroy - 26 Jul2024James Kilroy found guilty of murdering wife in 2019
Reports the jury verdict in Kilroy's third trial, the rejection of the insanity defence based on cannabis-induced psychosis, the trial judge's remarks, and that sentencing is set for the following Monday.
convicted, James Kilroy, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French Kilroy, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroy - 26 Jul2024Valerie French Kilroy case: Man found guilty of wife’s murder
Conviction at Kilroy's third trial. The jury rejected the insanity defence based on cannabis-induced psychosis, and the judge said self-induced scenarios are not defences.
convicted, James Kilroy, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French Kilroy, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroy - 25 Jul2024Jury to consider whether cannabis-induced psychosis can be defence to murder
Trial report on the judge's charge to the jury; psychiatric evidence differs on whether cannabis-induced psychosis falls under the Act; the jury has spent under an hour deliberating and will resume on Friday.
victim, Valerie French Kilroy, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroyaccused, James Kilroy, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroy - 25 Jul2024Murder jury can 'consider' cannabis-induced psychosis
Reports the judge's charge to the jury, expert psychiatric evidence on drug-induced psychosis, closing speeches and the start of jury deliberations in the trial. No verdict yet.
accused, James Kilroy, 51, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French Kilroy, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroy - 23 Jul2024‘Highly unlikely’ man accused of killing Valerie French Kilroy was intoxicated from cannabis, court told
Expert toxicology and psychiatric evidence presented at the Central Criminal Court trial; toxicologists say cannabis intoxication highly unlikely based on negative THC tests; psychiatrists give conflicting views on whether the accused meets the criteria for the special insanity verdict.
victim, Valerie French Kilroy, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroyaccused, James Kilroy, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroy - 22 Jul2024Park ranger likely suffered from acute psychotic disorder when he killed his wife, murder trial hears
Adds defence psychiatric evidence from Dr Lisa Wootton that Kilroy likely had an acute and transient psychotic disorder, the delusions he reported, and the prosecution expert's view that he was intoxicated by cannabis.
victim, Valerie French Kilroy, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroyaccused, James Kilroy, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroy - 19 Jul2024Kilroy case hears drug-induced psychosis not a defence to murder
Court report on expert psychiatric evidence in the ongoing trial of James Kilroy, who has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The defence psychiatrist's earlier evidence is summarised and disputed by the prosecution's expert.
accused, James Kilroy, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French Kilroy, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroy - 17 Jul2024Murder accused suffering from drug-induced psychosis due to cannabis use, trial hears
Reports psychiatric evidence given at the trial, including the psychiatrist's diagnosis, his conclusion on the insanity criteria, and cross-examination. The trial is continuing.
accused, James Kilroy, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroy - 12 Jul2024Court hears park ranger on ‘mission from God to kill wife’ did not have a mental disorder
Reports psychiatric testimony from Dr Camilla Curtis (no mental disorder found) and postmortem findings from State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan at the ongoing murder trial.
victim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroyaccused, James Kilroy, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroy - 10 Jul2024Psychiatrists disagree on whether insanity verdict open to husband accused of murdering wife
Trial opened and continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt. The defence psychiatrist says Mr Kilroy meets the criteria for a not guilty by reason of insanity verdict, while the prosecution psychiatrist disagrees. The DPP says he is guilty of murder.
accused, James Kilroy, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroy - 20 Nov2023Murder trial of James Kilroy, who admits killing wife at Mayo home, collapses for second time
Second collapse of the trial at the Central Criminal Court. Defence psychiatrist Prof Keith Rix became unavailable mid-testimony, the jury was discharged, and a retrial before a different jury is required. Kilroy was remanded in custody and his case listed for November 28th.
accused, James Kilroy, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroy - 20 Nov2023Murder trial of James Kilroy - who admits killing his wife - collapses
Reports the second collapse of the trial, the discharge of the jury and the need for a new trial before a different jury. Mr Kilroy was remanded in custody and his case listed on November 28 to fix dates.
accused, James Kilroy, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroy - 20 Nov2023James Kilroy murder trial collapses for second time
The trial collapsed for a second time after defence psychiatrist Professor Keith Rix became unavailable mid-testimony. The judge discharged the jury, remanded Mr Kilroy in custody and listed the case to fix dates on 28 November.
accused, James Kilroy, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroy - 20 Nov2023Second trial of James Kilroy, accused of murdering his wife Valerie French Kilroy, collapses
Reports that the second trial collapsed on 20 November 2023 because defence witness Professor Keith Rix is unavailable. The jury was discharged, the trial must restart before a different jury, and Mr Kilroy was remanded in custody with a listing on 28 November. The article also says the first trial collapsed the previous March.
victim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroyaccused, James Kilroy, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroy - 17 Nov2023James Kilroy likely suffered psychotic episode before killing wife, court hears
Trial report on the Central Criminal Court proceedings. Adds defence psychiatric and toxicology evidence that the accused had a substance-induced psychotic episode and was probably not under the influence of cannabis at the time. The trial was continuing when the article was published, and no verdict is reported.
accused, James Kilroy, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroy - 16 Nov2023Man had psychotic episode 18 years before killing his wife, court hears
Reports the defence psychiatric evidence in the murder trial, including the accused's 2001 psychotic episode, cannabis use and delusions in the days before the killing. No verdict yet; the trial continues.
accused, James Kilroy, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroy - 14 Nov2023Murder accused 'waited in long grass' before slitting wife's throat, court hears
Reports the trial evidence: Kilroy's interview accounts of the attack, the cause of death, the knife used, the defence psychiatrist's evidence on cannabis use and psychosis, the not guilty by reason of insanity plea, and that the prosecution case has closed.
accused, James Kilroy, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroy - 14 Nov2023Husband accused of murder ‘waited in long grass’ before knife attack, court hears
Reports the Central Criminal Court trial: the accused's Garda interview accounts, defence forensic psychiatric evidence on his cannabis use and mental health, his not guilty by reason of insanity plea, and the close of the prosecution case.
accused, James Kilroy, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroy - 10 Nov2023Murder accused told psychiatrist he was on ‘mission from God to kill’ Valerie French Kilroy
Trial evidence: psychiatric and hospital witnesses describe the accused's statements, mental state and the discovery of the body. The accused has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
accused, James Kilroy, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroy - 10 Nov2023Murder accused told psychiatrist he 'was on mission from God' to kill wife
Reports psychiatric evidence heard in the murder trial, including the accused's statements to a psychiatrist. The article gives the killing as taking place between 13 and 14 June 2019 and says the trial continues on Monday.
accused, James Kilroy, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroy - 10 Nov2023Murder accused husband told consultant psychiatrist he had to kill wife
Reports the trial evidence of consultant psychiatrist Dr Camilla Curtis, who said Kilroy told her he was on a mission from God to kill his wife and had stabbed her with a kitchen knife, and that he presented with acute psychotic symptoms. Also records the prosecution's opening and the trial schedule.
accused, James Kilroy, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroy - 9 Nov2023Gardaí detained man accused of wife’s murder under Mental Health Act after finding him naked in field
Reports the trial, including Garda evidence on how Kilroy was found and detained, his alleged confession, and the discovery of the victim's body; the trial continues on Friday.
accused, James Kilroy, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroy - 8 Nov2023Mayo man accused of killing his wife pleads insanity as murder trial opens
Reports the opening of the trial on 8 November 2023, Kilroy's insanity plea, the prosecution's opening account, and the knife, hatchet and other items shown to the jury.
victim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroyaccused, James Kilroy, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroy - 27 Mar2023Retrial of man accused of murdering wife set for autumn
Reports that the second trial collapsed on 20 March 2023 after an 'unexpected, complex matter' arose, Justice Mary Ellen Ring discharged the jury, and a retrial was set for 6 November 2023. A case management date of 30 June 2023 was also fixed. The defence had made formal admissions during the first trial, including that Kilroy killed his wife.
victim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroyaccused, James Kilroy, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroy - 27 Mar2023James Kilroy to stand trial a second time in November, accused of murder of wife
Reports that the first trial collapsed on 20 March 2023 after an 'unexpected, complex matter' arose, that Justice Mary Ellen Ring set 6 November 2023 as the retrial date, that the defence made formal admissions including that Kilroy killed his wife, and that a case management date of 30 June 2023 was set.
victim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroyaccused, James Kilroy, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroy - 27 Mar2023James Kilroy to go on trial for second time later this year
Reports the setting of a new trial date (6 November 2023) after the second trial collapsed on 20 March 2023, the setting of a case management date of 30 June 2023, and the defence's formal admission that Kilroy killed his wife.
victim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroysuspect, James Kilroy, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroy - 20 Mar2023Murder Trial Of James Kilroy Collapses Over 'Unexpected' Matter
Reports that the murder trial of James Kilroy collapsed over an unexpected matter.
accused, James Kilroy, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroy - 20 Mar2023Murder trial of James Kilroy collapses after hitting 'a complex matter'
Reports the first collapse of the trial on 20 March 2023. The jury (ten men, two women) was discharged and exempted from jury service for seven years. The trial, which had been sitting since 8 March, was listed for mention on 27 March. Details of the cause of death (ligature strangulation, blunt force trauma, stab wound) and the scene (body in campervan) are confirmed.
victim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroyaccused, James Kilroy, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroy - 20 Mar2023James Kilroy’s murder trial collapses after ‘complex matter’ arises
Reports that the trial, sitting since 8 March 2023, collapsed after an 'unexpected, complex matter' arose. The 12-member jury was discharged and exempted from jury service for seven years. The case was listed for mention before the Central Criminal Court on 27 March 2023. The Chief State Pathologist's findings on cause of death and the defence's formal admissions are also detailed.
victim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroysuspect, James Kilroy, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroy - 20 Mar2023Jury in Mayo murder trial discharged
Jury discharged after trial hit 'a bump in the road'; Ms Justice Ring said the case would be given priority and mentioned again on 27 March 2023. Trial evidence detailed the circumstances of the killing, Kilroy's arrest, and the defence of not guilty by reason of insanity.
victim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroysuspect, James Kilroy, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroy - 15 Mar2023James Kilroy murder trial adjourned due to ‘bump in the road’
Reports the trial adjournment and new evidence: the Chief State Pathologist's findings on cause of death, the discovery of the body in a campervan, and the defence's formal admissions including that Kilroy killed his wife.
victim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroyaccused, James Kilroy, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroy - 15 Mar2023James Kilroy murder trial 'unforeseeably' comes to 'a bump in the road'
Reports the trial adjournment on 15 March 2023, the Chief State Pathologist's findings on cause of death, the description of how the body was found in the campervan, and the defence admission that Kilroy killed his wife.
victim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroysuspect, James Kilroy, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroy