Courts / Westmeath / Report

"If I went away, he would have done something really bad to my mother": Murder accused's teenage son gives evidence to trial

Date
2017-10-05
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Ballynacargy
County
Westmeath

Summary

During the Central Criminal Court trial of Danny Keena, the teenage son of the accused, who is not named because of his age, gave emotional testimony about his father's behaviour towards his mother, Brigid Maguire. He described how Keena had threatened to kill her, saying "I'd kill you," and had repeatedly harassed her, including an incident where he spilled milk on her hair. The son recalled being woken one night in sixth class when Keena held a hammer and threatened his mother, and that he and his sister tried to protect her but were prevented from leaving. He said that after the family moved out in September 2015, Keena continued to threaten her. The son's testimony was interrupted by a break when he became upset. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of seven men and five women.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "If I went away, he would have done something really bad to my mother": Murder accused's teenage son gives evidence to trial. Charges or matters: the murder of 43-year-old Brigid Maguire by strangling her; murder, but guilty to her manslaughter at Main Street, Ballynacargy on November 14, 2015. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: The boy, who is not being named because of his age, was giving evidence to the Central Criminal Court via live television link this morning. CNI source report

Case subjects

Danny Keena

Accused

Charges: the murder of 43-year-old Brigid Maguire by strangling her; murder, but guilty to her manslaughter at Main Street, Ballynacargy on November 14, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
Residence
Address Area
  • Main Street
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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