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. 7442Murder

Ruth Lawrence murder trial hears defence evidence

The bodies of Anthony Keegan (33) and Eoin O'Connor (32) were found on a lake island in the midlands, and the murders are alleged to have happened between April 22 and May 26, 2014, at an unknown location within the State. Ruth Lawrence (46), a woman originally from Clontarf, Dublin, with an address in Co Meath, has pleaded not guilty to murdering both men. Her boyfriend, Neville van der Westhuizen, a man, was convicted in South Africa in 2020 of kidnapping, attempted murder and murder and is serving a 15-year sentence, after which Ireland will apply to extradite him; Lawrence was extradited from South Africa to face trial nearly a decade after the bodies were found, and her trial before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury is ongoing. Most recently, on October 31, 2025, defence witnesses Pastors Robert Roger Brazelle and Andre Lombard testified by videolink that Lawrence feared becoming a victim of human trafficking and had worked at safehouses in South Africa.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court31 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The bodies of Anthony Keegan (33) and Eoin O'Connor (32) were found on a lake island in the midlands.
When
  • The murders are alleged to have happened between April 22 and May 26, 2014, both dates inclusive.
  • Lawrence met Pastor Robert Roger Brazelle in Pretoria in early May 2016.
Where
  • The killings are alleged to have taken place at an unknown location within the State.
  • Lawrence is originally from Clontarf, Dublin, and has an address at Patricks Cottage, Ross, Mountnugent, Co Meath.
Charges
Ruth Lawrence, aged 46, is charged with murdering Mr Keegan and Mr O'Connor and has pleaded not guilty.
Weapon
The prosecution alleges that Lawrence shot Mr O'Connor.
Cause
The prosecution alleges that Lawrence worked with van der Westhuizen to kill both men.
Investigation
Lawrence was extradited from South Africa to face trial nearly a decade after the bodies were found.
Sentence
Neville van der Westhuizen was convicted in 2020 in South Africa on six counts of kidnapping, attempted murder and murder and is serving a 15-year sentence in Westville Prison, Durban.
In court
  • An application to extradite van der Westhuizen to Ireland will be made when he has finished his South African sentence.
  • The trial before Mr Justice Tony Hunt has a jury of 12, made up of four men and eight women.
Other details
  • Lawrence went to a safehouse in Bloemfontein after being contacted about her fear of being trafficked, and Pastor Andre Lombard confirmed she stayed there in 2016 and worked for the Christian Revival Church.
  • On October 31, 2025, defence witnesses told the court by videolink that Lawrence feared becoming a victim of human trafficking and had stayed in and worked at women's refuges in two South African cities.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whenLawrence met Pastor Brazelle in Pretoria in early May 2016 (irishtimes.com)
  • courtAn application to extradite van der Westhuizen to Ireland will take place when he finishes his sentence in South Africa (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of four men and eight women (irishtimes.com)
  • otherRuth Lawrence feared she would become a victim of human trafficking (irishtimes.com)
  • otherVan der Westhuizen was convicted in 2020 on six counts of kidnapping, attempted murder and murder (irishtimes.com)
  • otherLawrence is 46, originally from Clontarf, Dublin, with an address at Patricks Cottage, Ross, Mountnugent, Co Meath (irishtimes.com)
  • otherPastor Robert Roger Brazelle is a pastor at the Christian Revival Church in Pretoria, South Africa (irishtimes.com)
  • otherLawrence went to a safehouse in Bloemfontein after being contacted about her fear of being trafficked (irishtimes.com)
  • otherPastor Andre Lombard confirmed Lawrence stayed in a safehouse in Bloemfontein in 2016 and worked for the CRC (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe CRC feeds about 4,000 people a day (irishtimes.com)
  • otherIn February 2017, three or four teenagers entered a tattoo parlour in South Africa where van der Westhuizen was working (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe youths were assaulted, poison was administered, and they were locked into a room for the night; one died the following day (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 Oct2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Murder accused Ruth Lawrence feared becoming human trafficking victim, pastor tells trial

    Defence witnesses (Pastors Robert Roger Brazelle and Andre Lombard from the Christian Revival Church in South Africa) testified via videolink about Lawrence's fear of trafficking and her work at safehouses; prosecution outlined its case that Lawrence shot O'Connor and worked with van der Westhuizen to kill both victims; van der Westhuizen's extradition to Ireland is pending after his South African sentence.

    accused, Ruth Lawrence, 46, female, named, irish (judged from name)Ruth Lawrencevictim, Anthony Keegan, 33, male, irish (judged from name)Anthony Keeganvictim, 32, male, irish (judged from name)accused, Neville van der Westhuizen, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Neville van der Westhuizen