Andrew 'Andy' Cash, aged 30, was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment with the final year suspended for the manslaughter of his brother‑in‑law John Cash, aged 40, who was stabbed to death on Hebron Road, Kilkenny City, on 3 May 2022. Cash was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter after a jury verdict of 10‑2. The judge noted that the attack occurred in broad daylight on a busy street, in front of John Cash's wife, and that Cash had continued to shout threats and abuse at the victim while he lay on the ground. Cash had been drinking and taking tablets at the time of the incident. He had previously been accused of assault causing harm to John Cash's wife and of producing a knife during a dispute, but was found not guilty of those charges.
In a Central Criminal Court sentencing hearing, Andrew 'Andy' Cash, aged 30, was found guilty of manslaughter for stabbing his brother‑in‑law, John 'Johnny' Cash, to death on 3 May 2022. Cash claimed he had been drinking and taking tablets when he "snapped" after a dispute with his wife, Elizabeth, who alleged that Cash believed his wife had been intimate with Johnny for years. The court heard that Cash had a knife in his car, which he used to stab Johnny twice, one wound penetrating the heart. A jury had earlier returned a 10‑2 majority verdict of not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, and not guilty of assault causing harm or production of a knife. Cash's defence argued that he suffered a sudden loss of self‑control, but the court accepted the manslaughter conviction. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon will pass sentence on 19 February.
Andy Cash, aged 30, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter for stabbing his brother‑in‑law, John Cash, 40, to death on 3 May 2022 in Kilkenny. The Central Criminal Court heard that Cash was intoxicated and unfit for interview for six hours after arrest. He admitted striking John Cash but denied stabbing him, claiming John had ducked. A post‑mortem showed two stab wounds, one penetrating the heart. Cash was also charged with assault causing harm to his sister Elizabeth and with producing a knife during a dispute; both charges were acquitted. The jury returned a 10‑2 majority verdict on all charges. The case was adjourned to 1 December for sentencing, with victim impact statements to be prepared. The Cash family issued a statement thanking the court, Gardaí and witnesses for their support. Andy Cash was found guilty.
The jury at the Central Criminal Court has begun deliberations on the case of Andrew 'Andy' Cash, 30, who is accused of murdering his brother‑in‑law, John Cash, 40, on 3 May 2022 at Hebron Road, Kilkenny City. Cash, a father of three from Highrath, Clara, Co Kilkenny, claims he was "out of his head on tablets" and cannot clearly recall the events of that day. He is also charged with assault causing harm to his sister, Elizabeth Cash, and with producing a knife during a dispute at the same time and place. Cash pleaded not guilty to all three charges on 2 November. The jury has deliberated for over three and a half hours and will resume at 11 am tomorrow.
In a Kilkenny murder trial, Andrew 'Andy' Cash, 30, pleaded not guilty to the stabbing death of his brother‑in‑law John Cash, 40, on 3 May 2022. Cash, a father of three from Highrath, claimed he was "out of his head on tablets" and could not fully recall the events of that day. He told the jury that he believed his wife had cheated on him with John Cash "years ago" and that he had confronted John Cash after seeing him and his wife leave a Centra. Cash admitted to having a knife in his car, which he said had been there "for ages," and that he had given John Cash a "good thumping" while he was on the ground, but denied stabbing him. He also denied shouting "you got what you deserved" or threatening to kill John Cash. The case is set to proceed before Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury of seven women and five men.
In a murder trial heard on 6 November 2023, a 40‑year‑old man who died after a fatal stabbing was still conscious when Garda Colm McMenamin arrived and was able to point to his alleged attacker. The accused, Andrew 'Andy' Cash of Highrath, Clara, Co Kilkenny, is charged with the murder of John Cash at Hebron Road, Kilkenny City, on 3 May 2022. Cash, 30, is also charged with assault causing harm to his sister, Elizabeth Cash, and with producing a knife during a dispute at about 12.30 pm on the same day. He has pleaded not guilty to all three charges. Garda McMenamin described how he witnessed John Cash lying on the ground, still able to turn and point at Cash, and how Cash was arrested at 12.38 pm after shouting abuse. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon, is expected to last two weeks.
In a murder trial in Kilkenny, Andrew 'Andy' Cash, 30, is accused of stabbing his brother‑in‑law, John Cash, 40, to death on 3 May 2022 at Hebron Road. The prosecution alleges that Cash, who shouted "he had it coming for 20 years" and "you have been riding other women," attacked John in broad daylight, causing two stab wounds that penetrated the heart. Cash is also charged with assault causing harm to John's wife, Elizabeth Cash, and with producing a knife during the dispute. He pleaded not guilty to all three charges. The court heard witness testimony of a physical altercation, the discovery of a small steak knife, and that Cash was intoxicated and deemed unfit for interview for six hours after his arrest. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon, is expected to last two weeks.
A jury was sworn in at the Central Criminal Court for the trial of Andrew 'Andy' Cash, 30, of Highrath, Clara, Co Kilkenny. He is accused of murdering his brother‑in‑law, John Cash, 40, on 3 May 2022 at Hebron Road, Kilkenny City. Cash is also charged with assaulting Elizabeth Cash, John's wife, and with producing a knife during a dispute at the same time and place. He pleaded not guilty to all three charges. The trial, set to last two weeks, will begin tomorrow with opening remarks by prosecuting counsel Michael Delaney SC.
Michael O'Reilly, aged 29, was sentenced by the Central Criminal Court to nine years' imprisonment, with an 18‑month suspended portion, for raping a 13‑year‑old girl in Dublin on 11 April 2021. He pleaded guilty and claimed he "honestly did not know" the victim's age. The judge noted the victim's prior self‑harm and trauma, her refusal to consent, and the defendant's lack of prior sexual convictions. O'Reilly's early guilty plea, apology letter, and absence of a pattern of offending were considered mitigating factors. He was also registered as a sex offender and his sentence was back‑dated to the time he entered custody. The court ordered him to remain under Probation Services supervision for 18 months following release. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court on 24 July 2023.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 2 May 2023, 29‑year‑old Michael O'Reilly pleaded guilty to raping a 13‑year‑old girl in Dublin on 11 April 2021. He claimed in a letter to the victim that he "honestly did not know" her age and expressed shame and disgust. The court heard that the victim had been sexually assaulted after a teenage boy had finished consensual sex with her. O'Reilly allegedly forced the girl to the ground, removed her clothing and raped her. CCTV footage of the victim's upset reaction was shown to O'Reilly, who denied any involvement. He was remanded in custody until 10 July for finalisation of the case. The teenage boy was charged with engaging in a sexual act with a child but the charge was later withdrawn. No prior sexual convictions were recorded for O'Reilly, though he had convictions for assault, theft and burglary.
In the Central Criminal Court, Renars Veigulis, aged 32, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his partner, Rita Apine, aged 29, who died on or about 14 May 2017. A forensic scientist testified that blood stains on Veigulis's clothing were more likely caused by a strike than by CPR. The scientist described contact‑blood staining and a spatter pattern on a white hoodie belonging to Veigulis, concluding the pattern was consistent with force applied to wet blood. The prosecution argued that Apine's injuries were inconsistent with a fall, while the defence highlighted the possibility of a strike. Detective Sergeant James O'Brien gave evidence that he arrived at the scene after Apine had been removed, saw blood on the floor, and later arrested Veigulis on suspicion of murder. The trial also heard Veigulis's witness statement, in which he described the day's events and the discovery of Apine at the bottom of the stairs. The case remains at the trial stage.
In a murder trial in the Central Criminal Court, forensic scientist Dr Stephen Doak testified that the blood‑staining patterns at the scene of Rita Apine's death suggested an assault rather than a simple fall. He described contact‑staining, splatter, airborne blood, swipe patterns and cast‑off blood on the walls and floor beside the stairs, noting a large area of wet blood that had been wiped up and a missing area revealed by luminol. Dr Doak argued that the patterns indicated a forceful event and that the accused, Renars Veigulis, had attempted to clean up the blood. Veigulis, aged 32, pleaded not guilty to murdering Apine, aged 29, at their Freshford home on or about 14 May 2017. The trial continues before a jury presided by Ms Justice Tara Burns.
The trial of Renars Veigulis, aged 32, for the murder of his partner Rita Apine, aged 29, began on 19 November 2018. Veigulis pleaded not guilty and claimed Apine fell down the stairs, while the prosecution argued her injuries were inconsistent with a fall. Both were Latvian; they had lived in Freshford since 2016. Garda Edward Laffin testified that he saw a "considerable amount of blood" at the scene and that neighbours reported nothing "untoward" before the incident. Detective Garda Ronan Lawlor described the forensic findings: a two‑bedroom terraced house with a hallway and stairs, blood on the floor, a slipper soaked in blood, and airborne blood stains on walls and ceiling. CCTV footage showed medical staff and Gardaí around the house and Veigulis' movements. The case proceeded to a jury of seven men and five women under Ms Justice Tara Burns.
In a trial in Kilkenny, Renars Veigulis, aged 32, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his partner, Rita Apine, aged 29, who died on or about 14 May 2017 after falling down the stairs of their Freshford apartment. Veigulis told ambulance staff that he heard a "boom, boom, boom" and found Apine at the bottom of the staircase, claiming she had fallen. The prosecution argued that Apine's injuries were inconsistent with a fall, citing forensic evidence of blood spatter on the wall and on Veigulis's clothing, and a post‑mortem showing severe blunt‑force trauma. Veigulis's defence maintained that Apine died from the fall, and his 999 call was recorded as showing distress. The case is being heard by a jury presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns.
In the Central Criminal Court, a woman identified the body of her friend Rita Apine, whose partner Renars Veigulis is on trial for her murder. Veigulis, 32, pleaded not guilty to killing Apine, 29, at their Freshford home on 14 May 2017. He claimed Apine fell down the stairs, but prosecutors argued the injuries were inconsistent with a fall. Evidence from Latvian national Gatis Kuhalskis, a former colleague, indicated Veigulis told him Apine had fallen and hit her head on a child‑safety gate, yet Veigulis denied witnessing the fall. Estonian national Julia Sinjagina, a close friend, confirmed Apine's identity after her death, noting the body's face and body were "two different faces, two different bodies." Forensic findings showed blood spatter inconsistent with a fall and severe blunt‑force trauma, contradicting Veigulis's account. The trial continues before a jury presided by Justice Tara Burns.
In a 2018 trial at the Central Criminal Court, Renars Veigulis, aged 32, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his partner, Rita Apine, aged 29, who died at their Freshford home around 14 May 2017. The jury heard that Veigulis called emergency services at 12:18, claiming Apine had fallen down the stairs. He was described as distressed, breathing heavily, and crying during the call. He gave conflicting details about the fall, such as the height and the location of bleeding. Emergency‑call taker Laura Bunbury provided instructions on first aid and CPR, noting Veigulis's panic. Medical witnesses, including Dr Leonard de Villiers and paramedics, described a large head wound and extensive blood spatter in the house. The trial continued the following day with a jury of seven men and five women presiding by Ms Justice Tara Burns.
The Central Criminal Court heard the murder trial of 32‑year‑old Renars Veigulis, who pleaded not guilty to the death of his 29‑year‑old partner, Rita Apine, at their Freshford home on 14 May 2017. Veigulis had told gardaí that Apine had fallen down the stairs, but a post‑mortem revealed severe blunt‑force injuries inconsistent with a fall. Forensic evidence showed blood spatter on the scene and on Veigulis's clothing that did not match a simple fall, and investigators noted that blood had been wiped from a wall before paramedics arrived. The court heard that Veigulis maintained his version of events during garda interviews, while the forensic team and the post‑mortem findings contradicted his account. The trial is proceeding before Justice Tara Burns.
John Joseph Malone, aged 54, was found guilty of murdering 69‑year‑old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth in 1987 and received a mandatory life sentence in 2017. The Court of Appeal upheld his conviction in 2018, ruling that the trial was fair despite a 27‑year delay. Malone had confessed to the killing to several people over the years, including his brother, former wife, and others in a Presbyterian Bible group. Witnesses testified that he had been present at the scene, had a heated argument with Mrs Smyth, and had admitted to strangling her. The appeal court noted that sufficient witnesses were available and that the delay did not unduly prejudice Malone's defence. The judgment was delivered without Malone's reaction. The case remains a cold case that was reopened after new confession evidence surfaced. John Joseph Malone pleaded not guilty.
John Joseph Malone, aged 54, was convicted of murdering 69‑year‑old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth in Kilkenny on 11 September 1987 and sentenced to life imprisonment. The conviction followed a Central Criminal Court jury's unanimous decision after 3 h 26 min of deliberation. Malone had pleaded not guilty. The case was reopened as a cold‑case investigation in 2012 after new witness statements and confessions emerged. Malone's appeal, filed on the ground that the trial judge should have withdrawn the case at the close of the prosecution's case, focuses on the credibility of Geraldine Brennan's 2013 statement, which differs from her 1987 statement. The appeal is pending; the court has reserved judgment. No new verdict or outcome is reported in the article.
Gerard Dowling, 40, of Kilkenny, was committed to the Central Mental Hospital after stabbing 60‑year‑old Simon Bourke in a shopping centre. He was charged with attempted murder, assault and knife possession. A jury found him not guilty by reason of insanity on all charges. Justice Paul McDermott said the CMH is the appropriate place for his ongoing treatment and that his committal is necessary for his safety and that of others. Dr Paul O'Connell noted Dowling's poor insight into his illness and difficulty with medication, and that his treatment will take some time.
In a four‑day trial at Kilkenny County Court, Gerard Dowling, aged 40, was charged with the attempted murder of 60‑year‑old Simon Bourke, assault causing harm, and possession of a knife. The jury, after 40 minutes of deliberation, returned a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Both the prosecution and defence agreed that Dowling was insane at the time of the assault, as he suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and had not taken medication for several months. He was admitted to the Central Mental Hospital under the Criminal Law Insanity Act. A doctor will report to the court on 7 November to recommend ongoing treatment. Justice Paul McDermott thanked the jurors and exempted them from further service for ten years. The case remains at the mental health treatment stage.
A jury will begin deliberating the trial of Gerard Dowling, 40, of Kilkenny, who stabbed Simon Burke, 60, in the head at Market Cross Shopping Centre on 13 July 2016. Dowling, who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to attempted murder, assault causing harm and producing a knife. The prosecution and defence have presented expert witnesses describing Dowling's mental illness under the Criminal Law Insanity Act. Mr Justice Paul McDermott will conclude his charge in the afternoon after the jury hears closing arguments.
Gerard Dowling, aged 40, of The Sycamores, Freshford Road, Kilkenny, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to attempted murder of 60‑year‑old Simon Burke at Market Cross Shopping Centre on 13 July 2016. He also pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to assaulting Mr Burke and to producing a knife during the same incident. Dowling has a long history of paranoid schizophrenia, having been admitted to hospital on several occasions since 1998. Psychiatrist Dr Brenda Wright testified that Dowling exhibited symptoms of paranoia and delusion, including grandiose beliefs about wealth and employment, and that he had sent threatening text messages to his former partner in 2015. She stated that Dowling's illness meant he did not understand that assaulting Mr Burke was morally wrong and that he had not taken his medication for many months.
Gerard Dowling, 40, with paranoid schizophrenia, went to St Luke's Psychiatric Unit in Kilkenny City on the morning of 13 July 2016, claiming he could not speak to anyone. CCTV shows he entered at 10:08 and left at 10:22. Hours later he stabbed 60‑year‑old Simon Burke at Market Cross Shopping Centre. Dowling pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to attempted murder, assault causing harm and possession of a knife. He said he had stopped his medication in January and sometimes heard voices. Burke was struck in the head and shoulder; a knife fragment remains in his head and he suffered a broken finger. Dowling claimed he did not know Burke and that his actions were influenced by voices. The trial is before Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of twelve.
Gerard Dowling, 40, of Kilkenny, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to attempted murder, assault and knife possession against 60‑year‑old Simon Burke at Market Cross Shopping Centre on 13 July 2016. The Central Criminal Court trial opened with Denis Vaughan Buckley SC presenting forensic psychiatric reports that both prosecution and defence psychiatrists agreed Dowling suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and was not taking medication at the time of the alleged assault. Buckley described Dowling's belief that voices in his head directed him to act, and that he could not refrain from striking Burke with a knife. Burke's partner tried to defend him with a handbag; Burke sustained knife injuries to his head but has fully recovered. If the jury finds Dowling insane, he will be committed to the Central Mental Hospital for assessment and treatment. The trial continues before Justice Paul McDermott.
John Joseph Malone, aged 53, was convicted of murdering 69‑year‑old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth on 11 September 1987 at her Kilkenny home. He strangled her and set her house on fire. Justice Patrick McCarthy backdated Malone's sentence to 27 January 2016 to account for time already served in custody before the conviction.
The High Court case challenging the Kilkenny Northern Ring Road Extension, which was approved by An Board Pleanala and granted to Kilkenny County Council in July 2014, has been referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union. Mr Justice Richard Humphreys referred eleven legal questions concerning EU directives on the conservation of wild fauna and flora. The questions ask whether statements about the impact of a proposed development must identify the full extent of habitat and species on the site, whether assessments of impact on protected species and habitats inside and outside special areas of conservation are required, and whether an environmental impact assessment must contain sufficient information about each alternative to the proposal. The case involves a 1.5‑km road section that cuts through protected natural areas, including a special protection area for kingfishers and a candidate special area of conservation for the Nore freshwater pearl mussel.
In a 2017 trial, John Joseph Malone, aged 53, was found guilty of murdering 69‑year‑old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth on 11 September 1987. The Central Criminal Court jury, after 3 hours 26 minutes of deliberation, returned a unanimous verdict. Malone strangled Smyth before setting her Wolfe Tone Street home on fire. He had been on bail when the trial began, but his bail was revoked after he shouted abuse at 81‑year‑old Eileen Kelly, who later testified. The court delayed sentencing to allow Smyth's family to speak. Justice Patrick McCarthy imposed a life imprisonment sentence, exempting the jury from further service for ten years. The case was reopened in 2012 when witnesses, including members of a Presbyterian Bible group, came forward with statements that Malone had confessed to the murder and the fire. The trial relied on witness testimony and a pathologist's report showing strangulation before the fire. No forensic evidence was presented.
A jury has begun deliberating on the verdict in a cold case murder trial. The accused, John Joseph Malone, 53, of Newpark, Kilkenny City, pleaded not guilty to the strangulation and subsequent arson that killed 69‑year‑old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth on 11 September 1987 at Wolfe Tone Street. Justice Patrick McCarthy delivered a charge to the jury at the Central Criminal Court, stressing that a unanimous verdict is required and that the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that Malone caused Ms Smyth's death.
In a cold‑case murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, Judge Patrick McCarthy delivered a six‑hour charge to a jury of seven men and five women. The case concerns John Joseph Malone, aged 53, who has pleaded not guilty to the 1987 strangulation and subsequent arson that killed 69‑year‑old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth on Wolfe Tone Street, Kilkenny City. The judge paused the proceedings before 5 pm and promised to resume the next morning.
In a 2017 murder trial, a 69‑year‑old woman was killed in a "callous and violent death" when she was strangled and her house set on fire. The prosecution, led by Sean Gillane SC, argued that the victim's injuries were consistent with strangulation and blows to the head and mouth, and that the accused, 53‑year‑old John Joseph Malone, had confessed to the crime to church members. Witnesses placed Malone at the victim's home around 12:30 am, where he allegedly argued with her and was seen acting suspiciously. Malone denied the killing and the arson. The defence, represented by Colman Cody SC, contended that the case was pursued because of later confessions, not because of forensic evidence, and that the police had focused on Malone for years. The jury was instructed to decide only whether the prosecution proved Malone's guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The judge would give his charge the following day. John Joseph Malone pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court trial of John Joseph Malone, a 53‑year‑old from Newpark, Kilkenny, a Garda inspector, Colin Furlong, testified that investigators did not deliberately seek witnesses to implicate Malone in the 1987 murder of 69‑year‑old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth. Furlong said witnesses came forward of their own volition and that the Gardaí's aim was to gather any evidence relating to the crime, not to obtain confessions. He denied that the Gardaí had tried to make a charge stick or that they had coerced witnesses. Furlong acknowledged that some Gardaí had contacted witnesses but maintained that the statements were voluntary. He also confirmed that the Gardaí had investigated Barney Malone, John's brother, and found no evidence linking him to the killing. The prosecution case has now finished, with the trial set to continue tomorrow before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of seven men and five women.
During the cold‑case trial of John Joseph Malone, the accused told the Central Criminal Court that he had argued with the widowed pensioner, Ann 'Nancy' Smyth, over a pigeon hours before she was found strangled. Malone, 53, was charged with murdering the 69‑year‑old on 11 September 1987 at her Wolfe Tone Street home in Kilkenny City. He had initially denied approaching Mrs Smyth early that morning, but later interviews admitted he had met her outside her house at about 12.40 a.m., arguing about a pigeon that he claimed was in her loft. He said the dispute lasted about 30 minutes, that he did not touch her, and that he then went home. The trial continues on Monday.
During a cold‑case murder trial in the Central Criminal Court, an 81‑year‑old woman named Eileen Kelly testified that the accused, John Joseph Malone, had confessed to her that he had killed a widowed pensioner, Ann 'Nancy' Smyth, in 1987. Kelly, who lived near Smyth, said she had known Malone and that he had called into her home a few months after the murder. According to Kelly, Malone told her that the killing was an accident and that he had gone to Smyth's house over a pigeon or pigeon trophy that her husband had won. She recounted that Malone had claimed he had shoved Smyth into a door and strangled her before setting fire to her house. Malone, 53, pleaded not guilty. The trial is ongoing.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing on 4 April 2017, Ann Walsh, former sister‑in‑law of John Joseph Malone, testified that she had reported Malone's alleged confession to Gardaí about twenty years earlier. Walsh, who had been married to Malone's brother Bernard, said she had heard Malone admit to killing 69‑year‑old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth on three separate occasions. The first confession was in a pub in 1991, where Malone allegedly said he had killed Smyth; Walsh's husband told him to leave. The second confession occurred in 1996 while Malone was walking Walsh home from a pub; he threatened to burn her house and harm her children, and Walsh reported this to Sergeant Eddie Geraghty. Walsh confirmed she had told the Sergeant everything Malone said that night. The court also heard statements from two lodgers who had stayed with Smyth in 1987, but the focus of the testimony was Walsh's reports of Malone's confessions and threats. John Joseph Malone pleaded not guilty.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing on 3 April 2017, the former sister‑in‑law of John Joseph Malone, a 53‑year‑old man charged with the 1987 murder of 69‑year‑old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth, testified that Malone had confessed to her that he had killed Smyth. Ms. Malone, who had been married to Malone's brother Bernard 'Barney' Malone, recounted that she and Barney had been walking home from Pat Carroll's pub when Malone allegedly threatened to kill her and burn her house, mirroring the earlier murder. She said he repeated the confession at her home in Newpark Close and claimed he had "gotten away with it." The prosecution asked her to detail what he had said, and she confirmed the confession. The defence will cross‑examine her tomorrow, while her ex‑husband was cross‑examined today, confirming that his brother had made a similar confession to him. The trial proceeds before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury. John Joseph Malone pleaded not guilty.
The Central Criminal Court heard testimony from Bernard 'Barney' Malone in the ongoing trial of John Joseph Malone, who is accused of murdering 69-year-old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth on 11th September 1987 at her home on Wolfe Tone Street in Kilkenny. The accused, a 53-year-old man from Newpark, has pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering the widowed pensioner, who was allegedly strangled before her house was set on fire. Barney Malone testified that his brother confessed to the killing approximately ten years ago, claiming it was motivated by a pigeon trophy. The witness stated that the accused later returned to his home and stabbed him, an incident for which the accused received a suspended sentence after Barney Malone requested leniency. The witness disclosed this confession to a garda superintendent for the first time during that legal process. In cross-examination, the accused agreed that he had previously served two sentences for separate rapes in Kilkenny. The trial is currently at the sentence stage regarding the witness's prior conviction, while the murder trial continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury. Cross-examination of the witness is scheduled to continue on Monday.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, evangelist Billy Patterson testified that he had known John Joseph Malone, a 53‑year‑old accused of murdering 69‑year‑old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth in 1987, for over 25 years. Patterson, who worked as an evangelist for Kilkenny's Presbyterian Church, said he had run bible studies in private homes that Malone sometimes attended. After the killing, Patterson invited Malone for a conversation in his van, during which Malone allegedly confessed to the murder. Patterson claimed he advised Malone to contact the Gardai, but he later said he had not reported the confession immediately because he felt loyalty to Malone and feared betraying him. Patterson admitted that he had made statements to the Gardai in 2012 and 2012‑13, but he had omitted details of the confession in those statements. The court was informed that Malone had also confessed to two teenagers during a church trip to Tramore in the late 1980s. The trial continues. John Joseph Malone pleaded not guilty.
In a cold‑case murder trial in Kilkenny, 53‑year‑old John Joseph Malone is accused of strangling 69‑year‑old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth on 11 September 1987 and setting fire to her Wolfe Tone Street home. Malone pleaded not guilty. Witness Jude Curran, a long‑time friend and church member, testified that Malone confessed to him that he had killed Smyth, arguing that forensic evidence of strangulation conflicted with his account. Curran described several conversations in which Malone claimed he had pushed Smyth, that she fell, and that he had set the house on fire. Curran also recounted that Malone had told him he could not sleep over the case and that he had considered confessing to a police officer. The trial continues with Malone's defence counsel cross‑examining Curran on the alleged confessions and the evidence presented. The court heard no further evidence of a verdict or sentencing.
During a cold‑case murder trial in the Central Criminal Court, a witness named Geraldine Brennan testified that she saw the accused, 53‑year‑old John Joseph Malone, banging on the door of widowed pensioner Ann 'Nancy' Smyth's house on Wolfe Tone Street in Kilkenny City on the night of 10 September 1987. Brennan, who was living three doors down with her baby and parents, claimed she heard a male voice shouting, "Let me into the f***ing house. I just want to f***ing talk to you," and that Malone was angry and agitated. She said the banging lasted about half an hour, with Malone kicking the door and slamming the gate. Brennan had not reported the incident to Gardaí in 1987 because her mother advised her not to get involved. She later gave a statement in 2012 after a television reconstruction prompted her to reconsider. John Joseph Malone pleaded not guilty.
In a cold‑case murder trial, the Central Criminal Court heard that 69‑year‑old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth was strangled and suffered head injuries before a fire was set in her Kilkenny home on 11 September 1987. The accused, 53‑year‑old John Joseph Malone of Newpark, pleaded not guilty. State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy presented evidence from the post‑mortem, noting burns on the left side of the body, bruising and hemorrhages around the eye, and a horizontal pressure mark on the back of the neck. Professor Harbison's examination confirmed fresh bleeding and no soot in the respiratory tract, indicating death by asphyxia due to manual strangulation before the fire. The court also heard testimony from first responders who observed the fire and the scene, noting suspicious circumstances and the presence of a dead dog. The trial continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury.
The cold-case trial of John Joseph Malone, 53, is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy. Malone, of Newpark in Kilkenny City, has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of 69-year-old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth on 11th September 1987 at her home on Wolfe Tone Street in Kilkenny City. The matter is currently at the trial stage and has not been finalised. Witness Desmond Murphy, the deceased's nephew, testified that he was unaware of any money-lending issues, stating he was 'flabbergasted' to hear such questions. He noted that Smyth's sisters-in-law had assisted her with daily needs. Ann Lahart, a bartender who served Smyth on the evening before her death, described her as a 'lovely person' and a regular customer. Security guard Dermot Fennelly reported seeing smoke and flames from the house, prompting a call to the Gardaí. Firefighter Anthony Lacey testified that he and colleagues used a sledgehammer to break the Yale lock to enter. He described intense smoke and poor visibility, stating he stumbled over a body while searching. A doctor's statement confirmed death was pronounced at St Luke's Hospital, noting the deceased was in day clothes with a blackened face. The trial continues and is expected to last more than three weeks.
In a cold‑case murder trial, John Joseph Malone, 53, is charged with strangling 69‑year‑old Ann (Nancy) Smyth on 11 September 1987 at her Wolfe Tone Street home in Kilkenny. The prosecution, led by Sean Gillane SC, argues that after a night at a local pub, Malone entered Smyth's house, strangled her, and set it on fire. Evidence includes a neighbour's account of a shouting altercation, a witness who heard a man with a speech impediment ask for a cigarette, and testimony from a bible‑study group member who claims Malone admitted the crime. The case notes that Smyth's death was caused by asphyxia from neck compression, not the fire. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy with a jury of five women and seven men, expected to last over three weeks. John Joseph Malone pleaded not guilty.
A 53‑year‑old man, John Joseph Malone of Newpark, Kilkenny City, is set to stand trial on Wednesday for the 1987 murder of Ann (Nancy) Smyth, who was killed on 11 September 1987 at a Wolfe Tone Street address. Malone pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court. A jury of five women and seven men has been sworn in, and the trial is expected to last more than three weeks.
In February 2016, Shane Smyth, aged 29, was committed to the Central Mental Hospital after a trial found him not guilty of murdering shop worker Mairead Moran by reason of insanity. The case, heard at the Central Criminal Court, involved Smyth's belief that Moran had stolen a "vile of his blood," installed hidden cameras, and placed black widow spiders in his house. Forensic psychiatrists Dr Brenda Wright and Dr Paul O'Connell testified that Smyth suffered from severe paranoid schizophrenia and was not capable of forming a specific intent. Dr Sally Linehan, a consultant forensic psychiatrist, reported that Smyth had been admitted to the CMH on 16 May 2014, had received Clozapine and a second psychotic medication, yet continued to exhibit psychosis and delusional beliefs. She recommended his continued inpatient care, which Justice Margaret Heneghan ordered. The decision was based on Smyth's mental disorder and the need for treatment in a designated centre. Mairead Moran was acquitted.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Shane Smyth, aged 29, was found not guilty of murdering shop worker Mairead Moran, aged 26, by reason of insanity. The jury was told the facts were not disputed and heard forensic psychiatrists Dr Brenda Wright and Dr Paul O'Connell testify that Smyth suffered from severe paranoid schizophrenia and was not capable of forming a specific intent. The judge explained that a verdict other than not guilty by reason of insanity would reject the psychiatric evidence. After 55 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. The judge ordered Smyth to be detained in the Central Mental Hospital and excused the jurors from future service. No other charges or outcomes were reported in the article.
In the Central Criminal Court, Shane Smyth, 29, stood accused of murdering 26‑year‑old Mairead Moran on 8 May 2014 at Kilkenny's Market Cross Shopping Centre. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Forensic psychiatrists Dr Brenda Wright and Dr Paul O'Connell testified that Smyth suffered from severe paranoid schizophrenia and was incapable of forming the intent required for murder. The prosecution, led by Mr John O'Kelly SC, highlighted the extensive evidence, including eyewitness testimony and long‑term medical records, to support the insanity defence. Defence counsel, Mr Colman Cody SC, emphasised the tragic nature of the case and argued that the only appropriate verdict was not guilty by reason of insanity, ensuring Smyth receives proper treatment while protecting society. The court was instructed to follow the judge's legal directions on all matters. The case remains at the trial stage.
In the Central Criminal Court, a second forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Paul O'Connell, testified that Shane Smyth, 29, suffered from severe paranoid schizophrenia and was not capable of forming a specific intent at the time of the murder of Mairead Moran, 26, on 8 May 2014. Dr. O'Connell reviewed Dr. Brenda Wright's earlier report and agreed that Smyth was mentally disordered, unable to appreciate the nature of his actions, and lacked moral judgment. He was deemed fit to plead and stand trial after a January 2016 review. The jury was also presented with a post‑mortem report by Professor Marie Cassidy, detailing eight stab wounds and multiple organ injuries that caused Moran's death. The trial remains ongoing. Shane Smyth pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, a forensic psychiatrist testified that Shane Smyth, 29, suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and lacked the capacity to form intent during the murder of Mairead Moran, 26, on 8 May 2014. Dr. Brenda Wright, called by the prosecution, presented a psychiatric report prepared at the request of the Director of Public Prosecutions. She described Smyth's long history of psychosis, including auditory hallucinations, delusions of persecution, and a belief that Moran was part of a conspiracy. She noted that Smyth did not understand the nature or moral wrongness of his actions at the time of the offence. The court was informed that Smyth's mental illness required long‑term treatment at the Central Mental Hospital to manage the risk he posed to others. The trial continues. Shane Smyth pleaded not guilty. Mairead Moran pleaded not guilty.
In a 2016 murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, 29‑year‑old Shane Smyth pleaded not guilty to the stabbing death of 26‑year‑old Mairead Moran on 8 May 2014 at Kilkenny's Market Cross Shopping Centre. The jury was told that the facts were undisputed and that two consultant psychiatrists had reported Smyth was suffering from psychosis at the time. During three interviews conducted on 9 May 2014, Smyth claimed he had not taken medication since he was 19, that he bought a knife with a wooden bronze handle for €20, and that he did not believe Moran was dead. He admitted to causing the fatal wound but denied planning the attack, stating he did not think he had murdered her. The trial continued with these statements as evidence.