Ireland Murder trial of James Kilroy hears evidence of psychosis and cannabis use
James Kilroy (50), a man, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering his wife, occupational therapist Valerie French Kilroy (41), at their rural home at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo, between 13 and 14 June 2019, and he admits killing her. After he was taken to Mayo University Hospital he asked to speak to gardaí to make a confession, and gardaí had earlier detained him under the Mental Health Act after finding him naked in a field. His trial before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a Central Criminal Court jury began with the prosecution case closing after the garda evidence, followed by defence psychiatric evidence on his cannabis use and psychosis in November 2023. The latest development, on 17 November 2023, was toxicologist Dr Johann Grundlingh's evidence that he was likely not under the influence of cannabis when he killed her, and the trial was continuing with no verdict reported.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court14 Nov
4 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- James Kilroy admits killing his wife, Valerie French Kilroy, but has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to her murder.
- Gardaí found the victim's body in a green campervan parked facing a wall in a shed at the home.
- Where
- The killing took place at the couple's rural home at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo.
- When
- The killing is alleged to have happened between 13 and 14 June 2019.
- Cause
- Ms French Kilroy died from strangulation with a ligature, blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to the neck.
- Weapon
- The accused said he used a black serrated 12 inch knife.
- Investigation
- Gardaí detained the accused under the Mental Health Act after finding him naked in a field.
- After being taken to Mayo University Hospital, the accused asked to speak to gardaí to make a confession.
- In court
- The trial is before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a Central Criminal Court jury of seven women and five men.
- The prosecution case closed after the garda evidence.
- Toxicologist Dr Johann Grundlingh said it was likely the accused was not under the influence of cannabis on 14 June.
- Other details
- Defence psychiatrist Dr Ronan Mullaney found that the accused had a substance-induced psychotic episode when he killed his wife.
- The accused had a long history of cannabis use and regularly used it therapeutically in the three years before his wife's death.
35 statements extracted from the articles
- 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)
- whatGardaí found the victim's body in a green campervan parked facing a wall in a shed. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJames Kilroy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering Valerie French Kilroy. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe killing took place at the couple's rural home at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe killing happened at their rural home at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe killing is alleged to have happened between 13 and 14 June 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)
- causeValerie French Kilroy died from strangulation with a ligature, blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to the neck. (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)
- 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)
- weaponThe accused said he used a black serrated 12 inch knife. (irishmirror.ie)
- 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)
- chargeJames Kilroy has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering Valerie French Kilroy. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe prosecution's case has closed. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven women and five men. (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)
- 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)
The reporting
newest first- 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