Mum died of strangulation, blunt force trauma and stab wound to neck, pathologist tells trial

At the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, the Chief State Pathologist provided evidence that a woman from Westport, County Mayo, died from ligature strangulation, blunt force trauma to the head, and a stab wound to the neck. Valerie French Kilroy, aged 41, was found in a campervan at her home on Kilbree Lower, Westport, on June 15th, 2019. Park ranger James Kilroy, aged 49, is charged with her murder between June 13th and 14th, 2019. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, though his defence counsel has made formal admissions that the accused killed his wife. A witness told the court he observed a naked man walking in circles in a nearby field on the morning of June 14th, heading towards Croagh Patrick. The pathologist detailed multiple injuries including defensive wounds to the deceased's hands and a stab wound measuring 4.7 centimetres in length. The trial continues before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring.