Courts / Kildare / Report

Kenneth O'Brien's partner tells trial of "dropping to knees" in shock

Summary

Eimear Dunne, aged 16 when she met Kenneth O'Brien, gave evidence at the Central Criminal Court that her partner's body was found in a canal. She described their relationship, noting they bought a house together in 2006 and that O'Brien worked in machinery in Australia before returning in December 2015. On 15 January 2016, Dunne received a text from a number she believed to be O'Brien, claiming he had lost his phone and was drinking. A second text at 7.49 am the next morning said he was heading to a ferry to move abroad with another woman. Dunne said she was shocked, dropped to her knees, and later found his laptops and toothbrush still at home. She reported him missing on 16 January and noted missing luggage and a monthly €5,000 transfer to Wells Sr. The trial will continue before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Kenneth O'Brien's partner tells trial of "dropping to knees" in shock. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• December 17, 2015 Other
• January 15 Other
• January 16 Hearing Or Sentence
• February 18 Other
• 2019-11-06 Publication

Why: Ms Dunne explained that she had gone to work on the morning of January 15 and Mr O'Brien was at home as he was getting picked up for work at 2pm that day. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report