Brian Ibe convicted of murder and assault causing harm

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Brian Ibe was convicted of murdering Peter Kennedy and assault causing harm at the Central Criminal Court on 9 April 2025. The jury found him guilty of both charges.

Ibe had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering Kennedy between 28 April and 12 May 2020 in Newbridge, and to assaulting Garda Brendan O’Donnell at Newbridge Garda station on or about 29 April 2020.

The defence accepted that Ibe assaulted Kennedy and that Kennedy died, but argued that a mental disorder supported an insanity or diminished-responsibility verdict. Dr Stephen Monks diagnosed schizophrenia and said Ibe was psychotic, while prosecution psychiatrist Dr Mary Davoren disagreed with that diagnosis and described his threats as goal-directed and rational.

Ms Justice Greally thanked the jury after its verdict. Ibe was remanded in custody, with sentencing adjourned to 19 May 2025; the report said he faces the mandatory sentence of life in prison. The proceedings were reported on 9 April 2025.