Oliver Kierans to be sentenced next month for killing his wife of 33 years

Oliver Kierans, aged 57, from Drumbannon in Bailieborough, County Cavan, has been convicted of manslaughter following the death of his wife Patricia on 5 September 2013. He was found not guilty of murder by jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court after more than fifteen hours of deliberation. Kierans was also convicted of possessing a modified twelve-gauge double-barrel shotgun and of possession with intent to endanger life. The court heard the couple had been married for thirty-three years before separating in spring 2013, and that Kierans discharged the firearm during an incident at their family home. He subsequently attended the Square Bar in Bailieborough where he brandished the same weapon at an officer before his arrest. Victim impact statements from the Kierans children and wider family were presented to the court, describing Patricia as a devoted mother and relative. Justice Aileen Donnelly adjourned sentencing to 20 April.