Courts / Kilkenny / Report

Cold case murder accused confessed to former sister-in-law, trial hears

Summary

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.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Cold case murder accused confessed to former sister-in-law, trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering 69-year-old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth on 11th September 1987 at her home on Wolfe Tone Street in the city. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• 11th September 1987 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-04-03 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Former Christian Brothers accused of breach of duty to be named in national newspaper
• High Court to consider publishing names of 340 former Christian Brothers
• Judge should have convicted drivers caught like 'fish in a barrel' in 'unjust speed zone'
• Disabled snooker player acquitted of assaulting Carlow gardaí
• Mayo jury returns insanity verdict in telecoms damage case
• Musician gets 16.5 years for repeatedly raping then-wife and her sister

Read the original CNI report