Ireland Man sentenced to life for murder of Mary O'Keeffe dies in prison
Mary O'Keeffe, a 72-year-old woman who lived in Mallow, Co Cork, was killed on 4 February 2021 at a woodland in Doneraile, Co Cork, when a car was set on fire with her still alive. Michael Leonard, a 63-year-old man of Kilmallock, Co Limerick, pleaded guilty to her murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment on 14 December. He died of cancer on 27 February 2024 ten weeks after sentencing, and the Irish Prison Service confirmed a death in custody at Cork Prison. The death is subject to standard investigation, and the cause of death is for the Coroner's Office to determine.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced28 Feb
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Mary O'Keeffe, aged 72, was murdered in February 2021.
- Michael Leonard, aged 63, of Kilmallock, Co Limerick, was the suspect in the case.
- Where
- Mary O'Keeffe was killed at a woodland in Doneraile, Co Cork.
- Sources differ on the place of death: one says Mercy University Hospital in Cork, and the Irish Prison Service says a death in custody at Cork Prison.
- When
- The incident took place on 4 February 2021.
- Michael Leonard died on 27 February 2024, ten weeks after his sentencing.
- Cause
- Michael Leonard threw petrol into a car and set it on fire.
- Other details
- A postmortem showed that Mary O'Keeffe was still alive when the fire started.
- Mary O'Keeffe lived in Mallow, Co Cork.
- Michael Leonard had no previous convictions.
- Charges
- Michael Leonard pleaded guilty to the murder of Mary O'Keeffe.
- In court
- The judge described the attack as one carried out by fire that led to the woman's death.
- Sentence
- Michael Leonard was sentenced to life imprisonment on 14 December.
- Investigation
- All deaths in custody are investigated by the Irish Prison Service, the Inspector of Prisons and An Garda Síochána where circumstances warrant, and the cause of death is determined by the Coroner's Office.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMichael Leonard died after a battle with cancer at Mercy University Hospital in Cork. (corkbeo.ie)
- whereMary O'Keeffe was killed at a woodland in Doneraile, Co Cork. (corkbeo.ie)
- whenLeonard died ten weeks after he was jailed for life for the murder of Mary O'Keeffe. (corkbeo.ie)
- causeLeonard threw petrol into the car and set it on fire. (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationThe Irish Prison Service confirmed a death in custody at Cork Prison on 27 February 2024. (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationAll deaths in custody are investigated by the Irish Prison Service, the Inspector of Prisons and An Garda Síochána, where circumstances warrant. (corkbeo.ie)
- courtThe judge described the killing as the most horrific attack carried out by fire that led to the woman's death. (corkbeo.ie)
- sentenceLeonard was sentenced to life imprisonment on December 14 after pleading guilty to the murder. (corkbeo.ie)
- otherA postmortem showed that Mary O'Keeffe was still alive when the fire started. (corkbeo.ie)
- otherMary O'Keeffe lived in Mallow, Co Cork. (corkbeo.ie)
- otherLeonard had no previous convictions. (corkbeo.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 28 Feb2024Murderer of Cork woman dies in prison weeks after being sentenced to life
Reports the death of Michael Leonard, aged 63, from cancer at Mercy University Hospital on Tuesday, ten weeks after his life sentence for the murder of Mary O'Keeffe. The Irish Prison Service confirmed a death in custody at Cork Prison on 27 February 2024.
convicted, Michael Leonard, 63, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Leonardvictim, Mary O'Keeffe, 72, female, irish (judged from name)Mary O'Keeffe