Ireland Named in reporting
Sister Philomena Lyons
Born 1957, from the ages reported. 3 reports across 1 case, 4 Aug 2025 to 6 Apr 2026
Key facts
from every report naming them- Named as
- Victim
- Born
- 1957, from the ages reported
- Nationality
- Irish, as stated in a report
- Offences
- Murder, Sexual assault
- Where
- Co. Monaghan
- Reporting
- 3 reports, 4 Aug 2025 to 6 Apr 2026
- Outlets
- corkbeo.ie, irishmirror.ie
Photographs
as published, with the outlet's credit
Images are shown from the outlet that published them and link back to the article. Copyright stays with the credited photographer or agency.
Cases
latest first- Man given release date for 2001 murder in Monaghan Murder · Co. Monaghan
Sister Philomena Lyons, an Irish woman aged 68, was sexually assaulted and strangled with her own scarf on 15 December 2001 on the grounds of the Sacred Heart Convent in Ballybay, Monaghan. Kealen Herron, an Irish man who was 19 at the time, was taken to the Garda station four days later after his fingerprints matched those on the victim's glasses, and he confessed to the murder while under caution. He pleaded guilty in 2003 and received a mandatory life sentence. The Parole Board has now given him a release date of October 2026, though he may be released as early as May 2026, and he has been on temporary day release from Arbour Hill Prison for the past year.
No stage yetVictim · 3 reports
Timeline
every report naming Sister Philomena Lyons, newest firstEach entry shows how that report described them.
- 6 Apr2026Man who sexually assaulted and killed Cork nun with scarf to be free 24 years onvictim, Sister Philomena Lyons, 68, female, Irish, irishSister Philomena Lyons
- 4 Aug2025Teen sexually assaulted Cork-born nun, 68, before killing her with scarfvictim, Sister Philomena Lyons, 68, female, Irish, irishSister Philomena Lyons
- 4 Aug2025Killer, 19, sexually assaulted nun, 68, before dumping body in convent hedgevictim, Sister Philomena Lyons, 68, female, Irish, irishSister Philomena Lyons
Matched on the name as printed, ignoring quoted nicknames, and split by the ages reported. Two people who share a name and age would appear together here.