Ireland Case No. 7131Murder · Co. Mayo · 13 Jun 2019
Murder trial of James Kilroy over death of Valerie French Kilroy in Westport, Co Mayo
James Kilroy (50), a park ranger, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court accused of 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. Gardaí found him naked in a field in Derrygorman on 14 June 2019 and detained him under the Mental Health Act, and the victim's body was later found in a green camper van in a shed at the home. Kilroy has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, and in November 2023 gardaí and a consultant psychiatrist gave evidence, including his statements that he had stabbed his wife with a kitchen knife. The trial before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury was continuing on the following Monday, and no verdict has been reported.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court9 Nov
3 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- James Kilroy is on trial accused of murdering his wife, Valerie French Kilroy.
- Kilroy has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder.
- Where
- The alleged killing took place at the couple's rural home at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo.
- A green camper van was parked in a shed at the back of the house.
- When
- The murder is alleged to have taken place between 13 and 14 June 2019.
- Investigation
- Gardaí found Kilroy naked in a field in Derrygorman, outside Westport, on 14 June 2019 and detained him under the Mental Health Act.
- A garda at the home saw blood splatter on the bathroom wall and large clumps of hair in the sink.
- Gardaí found the victim's body in the green camper van, parked facing a wall in the shed.
- Cause
- Kilroy told a psychiatrist that he stabbed his wife in the throat, while he told gardaí that she had stabbed him in the back during a row.
- Weapon
- Kilroy said he stabbed the victim in the throat with a kitchen knife.
- Other details
- Kilroy told gardaí he was on a pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick, and at hospital he said he wanted to make a confession and had killed his wife.
- Kilroy told a psychiatrist he was on a mission from God to kill his wife, and consultant psychiatrist Dr Camilla Curtis said he presented with acute psychotic symptoms.
- Kilroy is a 50-year-old park ranger, and Valerie French Kilroy was a 41-year-old occupational therapist.
- In court
- The trial is before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven women and five men at the Central Criminal Court.
- The prosecution said psychiatric testimony from expert witnesses will be central to the jury's verdict.
34 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA garda saw a body in the camper van, which was later identified as Valerie French Kilroy. (irishtimes.com)
- whatJames Kilroy has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering Valerie French Kilroy. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whereThe killing is alleged to have taken place at the couple's rural home at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo. (irishtimes.com)
- whereA green camper van was parked in a shed at the back of the house. (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 rural home at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder is alleged to have taken place between 13 and 14 June 2019. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder is alleged to have happened between 13 and 14 June 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe killing happened between June 13th and 14th, 2019. (irishtimes.com)
- causeIt appeared Valerie French Kilroy had met a violent death. (irishtimes.com)
- causeKilroy told a psychiatrist that he had stabbed his wife in the throat with a kitchen knife. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe accused said he stabbed the victim in the throat using a kitchen knife. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí found Kilroy naked in a field and detained him under the Mental Health Act. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA garda at the home observed blood splatter on the bathroom wall and large clumps of hair in the sink. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí found the victim's body in a green campervan parked facing a wall in a shed. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí found the victim's body in a green camper van parked facing a wall in a shed at the home. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeJames Kilroy is on trial accused of murdering his wife. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial is before the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtKilroy has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. (irishtimes.com)
- courtPsychiatric testimony from expert witnesses is expected to be central to the jury's verdict. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven women and five men. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe prosecution said psychiatric testimony from expert witnesses will be central to the jury's verdict. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury, and it continues on Monday. (irishtimes.com)
- otherKilroy is a 50-year-old park ranger. (irishtimes.com)
- otherValerie French Kilroy was a 41-year-old occupational therapist. (irishtimes.com)
- otherKilroy told gardaí he was on a pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAt hospital Kilroy said he wanted to make a confession and that he had killed his wife. (irishtimes.com)
- otherKilroy told gardaí he and his wife had had a row and that she had stabbed him in the back. (irishtimes.com)
- otherKilroy asked to speak to gardaí to make a confession and said he had killed his wife. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherKilroy told a psychiatrist he was on a mission from God to kill his wife. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherConsultant psychiatrist Dr Camilla Curtis agreed that Kilroy presented with acute psychotic symptoms and was potentially a significant risk to himself and others. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe accused asked to speak to gardaí and said, "I killed my wife". (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused told a psychiatrist he was on a mission from God to kill the victim. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe consultant psychiatrist said the accused presented with acute psychotic symptoms. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 10 Nov2023Murder accused told psychiatrist he was on ‘mission from God to kill’ Valerie French Kilroy
Trial evidence: psychiatric and hospital witnesses describe the accused's statements, mental state and the discovery of the body. The accused has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
accused, James Kilroy, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroy - 10 Nov2023Murder accused told psychiatrist he 'was on mission from God' to kill wife
Reports psychiatric evidence heard in the murder trial, including the accused's statements to a psychiatrist. The article gives the killing as taking place between 13 and 14 June 2019 and says the trial continues on Monday.
accused, James Kilroy, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroy - 9 Nov2023Gardaí detained man accused of wife’s murder under Mental Health Act after finding him naked in field
Reports the trial, including Garda evidence on how Kilroy was found and detained, his alleged confession, and the discovery of the victim's body; the trial continues on Friday.
accused, James Kilroy, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kilroyvictim, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, female, irish (judged from name)Valerie French Kilroy