Wednesday 28 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. 3667Murder · Co. Dublin

Siobhan McLaughlin's mother reveals cancer as killer Brian Kearney faces fourth parole hearing

Brian Kearney, 67, who strangled his wife Siobhan McLaughlin, 38, in February 2006 in Goatstown, Dublin, is about to face his fourth parole board hearing. Siobhan's mother Deirdre revealed her cancer diagnosis, which she blames on the murder, and said she would need security if Kearney is released. Kearney has been moved to share a cell with notorious killer Bernard Dempsey at Wheatfield Prison.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatBrian Kearney strangled his wife Siobhan to death with a wire flex at their home in Knocknashee, Goatstown, in February 2006. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatDeirdre McLaughlin, Siobhan's mother, has been diagnosed with cancer. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatKearney strangled Siobhan in her room using a Dyson vacuum cleaner flex as a ligature, then tried to hoist her over the en-suite door to make it look like a suicide. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatTheir three-year-old son was sleeping in the next room at the time of the murder. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeKearney murdered his wife because she intended to leave him. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtKearney is about to face the parole board in the coming weeks. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe family is meeting the parole board in April. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceKearney was found guilty by a majority verdict of 11 to 1 at the Central Criminal Court and handed a life sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherBernard Dempsey is serving life for the murder of James Curran, 42, shot dead in the Green Lizard Pub in Frances Street, Dublin, in April 2005. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherKearney is said to be very unwell behind bars. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Mar2026
    Otheririshmirror.ie, follow-up
    Mother blames her daughter's killer Brian Kearney for her cancer

    Reveals Deirdre McLaughlin's cancer diagnosis and security fears ahead of Kearney's fourth parole hearing in April; reports Kearney's cell move to share with Bernard Dempsey at Wheatfield Prison; provides details of the 2006 murder method and the 2008 guilty verdict.

    victim, Siobhan McLaughlin, 38, female, irish (judged from name)Siobhan McLaughlinconvicted, Brian Kearney, 67, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brian Kearneyvictim, Deirdre McLaughlin, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre McLaughlinvictim, Brighid McLaughlin, female, irish (judged from name)Brighid McLaughlin