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. 7259Murder · Co. Cavan

Man wanted over Co Cavan double murder fights extradition from South Africa

Anthony Keegan, 33, and Eoin O'Connor, 32, were allegedly killed in 2014 and found buried in a shallow grave in Co Cavan, with bullet wounds to the head. Irish woman Ruth Lawrence, 42, and Neville van der Westhuizen, 41, are named as suspects, and Lawrence was arrested in South Africa under an international arrest warrant and is to face charges of double murder. Van der Westhuizen, who is wanted by gardaí, is contesting extradition to Ireland at the Durban Regional Court and says his life would be in danger there. A three-week trial for Lawrence was set for October 7 next year at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. The latest development is that the extradition case was adjourned to a later date for further arguments.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court27 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Anthony Keegan, 33, and Eoin O'Connor, 32, are the two men allegedly killed in the case.
  • Ruth Lawrence, 42, an Irish woman, and Neville van der Westhuizen, 41, are named as suspects.
When
The two men were allegedly killed in 2014.
Where
  • The two men's bodies were found in Co Cavan, buried in a shallow grave.
  • The two men are alleged to have been buried on Inchicup Island in Cavan.
Cause
The two men were found with bullet wounds to the head.
Investigation
  • Lawrence was arrested in South Africa under an international arrest warrant.
  • A senior prosecutor told the court that Irish police had provided affidavits guaranteeing van der Westhuizen's safety if he were extradited.
Charges
  • Lawrence is to face charges of double murder.
  • Van der Westhuizen is wanted by gardaí over the same killings.
In court
  • Van der Westhuizen is contesting extradition to Ireland and has vowed to fight it.
  • Van der Westhuizen says his life would be in danger in Ireland, as underworld figures linked to a Dublin drugs gang have threatened him.
  • A three-week trial for Lawrence was set for October 7 next year at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.
  • The extradition case was adjourned to a later date for further arguments.
Other details
Lawrence and van der Westhuizen were former lovers who had a rented cottage near Dublin.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe two men's bodies were found in Co Cavan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe two men were found buried in a shallow grave. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe two men are alleged to have been buried on Inchicup Island in Cavan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe two men were allegedly killed in 2014. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe two men were found with bullet wounds to the head. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationLawrence was arrested in South Africa under an international arrest warrant. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA senior prosecutor told the court that Irish police had provided affidavits guaranteeing van der Westhuizen's safety if he were extradited. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeRuth Lawrence is to face charges of double murder. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtVan der Westhuizen has vowed to fight extradition to Ireland. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe extradition case was adjourned to a later date for further arguments. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtA three-week trial date was set for October 7 next year at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherLawrence and van der Westhuizen were former lovers who had a rented cottage near Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherVan der Westhuizen says his life would be in danger if he is sent to Ireland. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Oct2023
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man wanted by gardai to join murder suspect in the dock to fight extradition

    Reports that van der Westhuizen is contesting extradition at the Durban Regional Court, that he says his life would be in danger in Ireland, and that a three-week trial for Ruth Lawrence was set for October 7 next year at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.

    victim, Anthony Keegan, 33, male, irish (judged from name)Anthony Keeganvictim, Eoin O'Connor, 32, male, irish (judged from name)Eoin O'Connoraccused, Ruth Lawrence, 42, female, Irish, named, irishRuth Lawrencesuspect, Neville van der Westhuizen, 41, male, namedNeville van der Westhuizen