Courts / Cavan / Report
Husband appeals "gross negligence" conviction for shooting wife dead
Summary
Oliver Kierans, aged 60, of Drumbannon, Bailieborough in Cavan, has lodged an appeal against his conviction and sentence at the Court of Appeal. Kierans was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence following the death of his wife, Patricia Kierans, at their home on 5 September 2013. He was also convicted of possessing a sawn-off shotgun and of pointing the weapon at a member of An Garda Síochána in a public house in Bailieborough. He had pleaded not guilty to murder. Justice Aileen Donnelly sentenced him to nine years imprisonment for manslaughter, with additional concurrent sentences imposed for the firearms offences in April 2015. During proceedings at the Court of Appeal, counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions submitted that Kierans's moral culpability was significant, particularly regarding the incident involving the garda. The court, presided over by President Mr Justice George Birmingham, reserved judgement. Oliver Kierans was acquitted.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Husband appeals "gross negligence" conviction for shooting wife dead. Charges or matters: murdering Patricia Kierans (54), his wife of 33 years, at his home address on September 5th, 2013. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Acquitted
When:
- September 5th, 2013 Incident
- April 20, 2015 Incident
- 2019-04-04 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: murdering Patricia Kierans (54), his wife of 33 years, at his home address on September 5th, 2013 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Acquitted
Outcome: Acquitted; Kierans was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for his wife's manslaughter, eight years for possession of the shotgun and 12 years for pointing the gun at Garda Fay by Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly on April 20, 2015. Kierans moved to appeal his conviction and sentence today in the Court of Appeal, where judgement was reserved.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- The Square
Topics
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