Ireland Case No. 20407Murder · Co. Galway · 3 Jun 1980
Man released after 42 years for 1980 Galway murder
Michael Holohan, 68, was convicted of the murder of Mary Kitt, 45, a secretary at the Connaught Tribune Newspaper who lived alone in Salthill, Galway, on 3 June 1980. He demanded money from her, stabbed her with a kitchen knife, struck her in the head with a glass ashtray, and choked her to death before hiding her body under the bed. He was sentenced and served 42 years at Shelton Abbey prison. In July 2023, Holohan was released and seen in Newbridge, Co Kildare, going shopping for jewellery and visiting the local Intreo centre.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Michael Holohan was convicted of the murder of Mary Kitt, 45, a secretary at the Connaught Tribune Newspaper who lived alone in Salthill, Galway.
- Holohan demanded money from Mary Kitt, stabbed her with a knife from a kitchen drawer, struck her in the head with a glass ashtray a couple of times, and choked her to death.
- Holohan hid Mary Kitt's body under the bed, made the bed, and took a ten pound note from her purse.
- Where
- The murder took place at Mary Kitt's home on Grattan Road, Salthill, Galway.
- When
- The murder occurred on 3 June 1980.
- Weapon
- A knife taken from a kitchen drawer and a glass ashtray were used in the attack.
- Investigation
- Holohan was drinking in a pub in Galway less than nine hours after the murder and threw the knife away on his way home.
- Sentence
- Holohan was released from Shelton Abbey prison in July 2023 after serving 42 years.
- Other details
- While on bail, Holohan attacked a 25-year-old woman at a railway line in Galway and received a six-month sentence to be served concurrently with a 12-month sentence.
- In 1971, Holohan stole a car and knocked down two pedestrians, leaving them with serious injuries.
- In 1974, Holohan abducted a 14-year-old male student and held him hostage for two hours.
- Holohan was among just four other prisoners in Ireland who had been behind bars for over 40 years.
- After his release, Holohan was seen going shopping for jewellery and visiting the Intreo centre in Newbridge, Co Kildare.
19 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMichael Holohan was freed from Shelton Abbey prison after serving 42 years. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHolohan demanded money from Mary Kitt before attacking her. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHolohan struck Mary Kitt in the head with a glass ashtray a couple of times. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHolohan choked Mary Kitt to death after stabbing and striking her. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHolohan hid Mary Kitt's body under the bed and made the bed. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHolohan took a ten pound note from Mary Kitt's purse. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMary Kitt worked as a secretary at the Connaught Tribune Newspaper. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMary Kitt lived alone in her home in Salthill. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHolohan was drinking in a pub in Galway less than nine hours after the murder. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHolohan threw the knife away on his way home after the murder. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHolohan was among just four other prisoners behind bars for over 40 years. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHolohan was seen going shopping for jewellery and visiting the Intreo centre in Newbridge, Co Kildare. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatWhile on bail, Holohan attacked a 25-year-old woman at a railway line in Galway. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatIn 1971, Holohan stole a car and knocked down two pedestrians, leaving them with serious injuries. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe murder occurred at Mary Kitt's home on Grattan Road in Salthill, Galway. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe murder took place on 3 June 1980. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponHolohan stabbed Mary Kitt with a knife he took from a kitchen drawer. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHolohan received a six-month sentence for the railway line attack, to be served concurrently with the 12-month sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherSix years before the murder, Holohan abducted a 14-year-old French male student and held him hostage for two hours. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 8 Jul2023Man who killed woman and hid her body under bed is out of prison after 42 years
Profile of the convicted murderer's release after 42 years in prison, with his own account of the crime and details of his new life in Newbridge.
convicted, Michael Holohan, 68, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Holohanvictim, Mary Kitt, 45, female, irish (judged from name)Mary Kitt