Courts / Westmeath / Report

Westmeath man jailed for life for murdering mother of two

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 13 October 2017, Danny Keena, a 55‑year‑old farmer from Empor, Ballynacargy, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his partner, Brigid Maguire, who was 43 and the mother of their two teenage children. Keena had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, claiming provocation after Maguire accused him of being a bad father to their 12‑year‑old son. A jury convicted him of murder on 14 November 2015, the day of the killing. During the sentencing, Jade Maguire, Maguire's daughter, delivered a victim impact statement describing the loss, anger, and grief endured by the family. Judge Patrick McCarthy imposed a mandatory life sentence, back‑dated to 17 November 2015, when Keena entered custody. Keena remained emotionless as he was escorted to prison. Jade Maguire thanked the Gardaí and urged domestic‑abuse victims to seek help promptly.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Westmeath man jailed for life for murdering mother of two. Charges or matters: murder, but guilty to her manslaughter at her new home on Main Street, Ballynacargy. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

• November 14, 2015 Other
• November 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• 17th November 2015 Other
• 2017-10-13 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report