Ireland Murder trial of James Kilroy collapses for second time
James Kilroy, a man, is charged with murdering his wife, Valerie French Kilroy, at their rural home at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo, between June 13 and 14, 2019. Gardaí detained Mr Kilroy under the Mental Health Act after finding him naked in a field, and he pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murder. His first trial collapsed at the Central Criminal Court last March, and his second trial, sitting since November 8, collapsed on November 20, 2023, when defence psychiatrist Prof Keith Rix became unavailable and the jury was discharged. Mr Kilroy was remanded in custody and his case was listed for November 28 to fix dates for a retrial before a different jury.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court20 Nov
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- James Kilroy is charged with murdering his wife, Valerie French Kilroy.
- Defence counsel made formal admissions in both trials, including that Mr Kilroy killed his wife.
- Where
- The killing took place at the couple's rural home at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo.
- When
- The killing occurred between June 13 and June 14, 2019.
- Cause
- The victim died from strangulation with a ligature, blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to the neck.
- Investigation
- Gardaí detained Mr Kilroy under the Mental Health Act after finding him naked in a field.
- Charges
- Mr Kilroy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murder.
- In court
- The first trial collapsed at the Central Criminal Court last March.
- The second trial had been sitting since November 8 and had heard nearly two weeks of evidence.
- The second trial collapsed on November 20, 2023, because defence psychiatrist Prof Keith Rix became unavailable while giving evidence.
- The judge said the trial could not continue and discharged the jury.
- Mr Kilroy was remanded in custody and his case was listed for November 28 to fix dates.
- Other details
- The trial will restart before a different jury at a later date.
23 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe murder trial of James Kilroy has collapsed for a second time. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJames Kilroy admits killing his wife Valerie at their rural Co Mayo home. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe killing took place at the couple's 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)
- whenThe killing occurred between June 13, 2019 and June 14, 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe killing took place between June 13th and June 14th, 2019. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe victim died from strangulation with a ligature, blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to the neck. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeValerie French Kilroy died from strangulation with a ligature, blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to the neck. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí detained Mr Kilroy under the Mental Health Act after finding him naked in a field. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- chargeMr Kilroy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering Valerie French Kilroy. (irishmirror.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)
- courtMr Kilroy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murder. (irishtimes.com)
- 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)
- sentenceMr Kilroy was remanded in custody and his case listed for November 28th to fix dates. (irishtimes.com)
- 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)
The reporting
newest first- 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