Courts / Kilkenny / Report

Jury finds man guilty of cold case murder

Summary

In a 2017 trial, John Joseph Malone, aged 53, was found guilty of murdering 69‑year‑old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth on 11 September 1987. The Central Criminal Court jury, after 3 hours 26 minutes of deliberation, returned a unanimous verdict. Malone strangled Smyth before setting her Wolfe Tone Street home on fire. He had been on bail when the trial began, but his bail was revoked after he shouted abuse at 81‑year‑old Eileen Kelly, who later testified. The court delayed sentencing to allow Smyth's family to speak. Justice Patrick McCarthy imposed a life imprisonment sentence, exempting the jury from further service for ten years. The case was reopened in 2012 when witnesses, including members of a Presbyterian Bible group, came forward with statements that Malone had confessed to the murder and the fire. The trial relied on witness testimony and a pathologist's report showing strangulation before the fire. No forensic evidence was presented.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury finds man guilty of cold case murder. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• September 11, 1987 Hearing Or Sentence
• September 11 Other
• 2017-04-13 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report