Kilroy gets legal aid to fight conviction for murdering wife

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Person profiles: James Kilroy Justice John Edwards

James Kilroy, 51, from Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo, has been granted legal aid to appeal his murder conviction. He was unanimously convicted at the Central Criminal Court of murdering his wife in June 2019, following his third trial after two previous proceedings collapsed. The jury rejected Kilroy's insanity defence, which centred on cannabis-induced psychosis. During the trial, psychiatric experts disagreed on whether such a condition constitutes a valid legal defence under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act. The trial judge noted the jury's verdict accorded with legislative policy, as self-induced scenarios are not recognised defences. Kilroy received a life sentence last summer. The Court of Appeal granted him legal aid for two counsel to pursue his conviction appeal, one of twelve applications heard that morning.

Source: Courts News Ireland This page is a localnews.ie summary and index entry; the full original report may require a publisher subscription.

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Public source leads

Mayo wife murder case set for Central Criminal Court - RTE.ie RTE.ie · Tue, 15 Oct 2019 07:00:00 GMT
Man convicted for murdering his wife Valerie French gets legal aid to appeal conviction - Irish Examiner Irish Examiner · Fri, 25 Oct 2024 07:00:00 GMT
Valerie French Kilroy murder: Husband found guilty after jury rejects insanity defence - The Journal The Journal · Fri, 26 Jul 2024 07:00:00 GMT
Valerie died in terror for her life and the lives of her children, brother tells court - RTE.ie RTE.ie · Mon, 29 Jul 2024 07:00:00 GMT
Court fight looms to end wife-killer James Kilroy’s grip on estate of his victim Valerie French - Irish Independent Irish Independent · Sat, 18 Jan 2025 08:00:00 GMT
Valerie French Kilroy’s family sue her killer husband for damages - The Irish Times The Irish Times · Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:00:00 GMT

Related court reports

Jury unanimously convicts Valerie French Kilroy's husband of murder, rejecting insanity defence Courts News Ireland · 2024-07-26
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