Saturday 31 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. 20790Murder · Co. Waterford · 13 Dec 2018

Stephen Keane appeals murder conviction over admissibility of garda interviews

On 13 December 2018 John Lowe was killed at his home in Portlaw, County Waterford, after a fatal blow to an artery under his left ear. Stephen Keane, a man, was interviewed by gardaí twice that day and three times the next day, and he pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder. In May 2021 he was found guilty of murdering Lowe and sentenced to life imprisonment. On 8 June 2023 Keane appealed his conviction, arguing that his admissions to gardaí should not have been admitted because he was without legal advice and intoxicated, and the Court of Appeal said it would give judgment on 15 June.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted8 Jun
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Stephen Keane was found guilty of murdering John Lowe in May 2021.
Where
John Lowe was killed at his home in Portlaw, County Waterford.
When
The killing took place on 13 December 2018.
Cause
The fatal blow was to an artery under Lowe's left ear.
Investigation
Keane was interviewed by gardaí twice on 13 December and three times the next day.
Charges
Keane pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder.
Sentence
Keane was sentenced to life imprisonment.
In court
  • Keane's lawyers argue that his admissions to gardaí should not have been admitted as evidence.
  • Keane has appealed his conviction, with the appeal argued on 8 June 2023.
  • The Court of Appeal said it would give judgment on 15 June.
Other details
Keane's lawyers say he was without legal advice and intoxicated when he made the admissions.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatStephen Keane was found guilty of murdering John Lowe in May 2021. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereJohn Lowe was killed at his home in Portlaw. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe killing took place on 13 December 2018. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe fatal blow was to an artery under Lowe's left ear. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationKeane was interviewed by gardaí on two occasions on 13 December and three occasions the next day. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeKeane pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtKeane has appealed his conviction. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtKeane's lawyers argue that his admissions to gardaí should not have been admitted as evidence. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal said it would give judgment on 15 June. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceKeane was sentenced to life imprisonment. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherKeane's lawyers say he was without legal advice and intoxicated when he made the admissions. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Jun2023
    Convictedthejournal.ie, first report
    Waterford convicted murderer launches appeal claiming he was drunk during garda interviews

    Reports the appeal against Keane's murder conviction, argued on 8 June 2023, with judgment reserved to 15 June. Gives the background of the 2021 trial, the victim, the cause of death and the garda interviews at issue.

    convicted, Stephen Keane, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Keanevictim, John Lowe, 60, male, irish (judged from name)John Lowe