Courts / Westmeath / Report
Jury resumes deliberations in trial of farmer charged with murdering former partner
Summary
The jury has resumed deliberations in the Central Criminal Court trial of Danny Keena, a 55‑year‑old farmer from Empor, Ballynacargy, who is charged with murdering his former partner, 43‑year‑old Brigid Maguire, by strangulation on 14 November 2015. Keena pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. He had previously strangled Maguire to the point of dizziness, and she and their two children left him only two months before her death. The defence seeks a manslaughter verdict on the grounds of provocation, citing that Maguire accused him of being a bad father. The prosecution argues that provocation is inappropriate, noting his prior strangulation and threats to kill her. Judge Patrick McCarthy reminded the jury that the only options were guilty of murder or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, and that the accused's remorse was irrelevant.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jury resumes deliberations in trial of farmer charged with murdering former partner. Charges or matters: the murder of 43-year-old Brigid Maguire on November 14, 2015; murder, but guilty to her manslaughter at her home on Main Street, Ballynacargy. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- November 14, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2017-10-09 Publication
Why: He explained that there were two available verdicts: guilty of murder or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: the murder of 43-year-old Brigid Maguire on November 14, 2015; murder, but guilty to her manslaughter at her home on Main Street, Ballynacargy (Alleged Or Contested)
Places mentioned
- His Central Criminal Court
- Main Street
Topics
Related court reports
- 15-year sentence upheld for attack where victim was 'basically incinerated'
- 'Murderous intent': 15 years for brutal assault on victim who was set alight
- Accused admits to role in horrific attack on low level drug dealer
- 'Horrendous' arson attack saw low-level drug dealer set alight and left to die
- Low level dealer stabbed 16 times and set on fire after ex spread informant rumour
- Recent challenges to drink driving law "have appearance of being cynical", judge notes
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request