Courts / Sligo / Report

Addict guilty of murdering talented Sligo musician after three trials

Date
2019-11-18

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Sligo

County
Sligo

Summary

Keith Brady, 32, of Cartron Estate, Sligo, was found guilty of murdering musician Matt Kivlehan after three trials. The jury at the Central Criminal Court returned a guilty verdict in one hour and 25 minutes following a two-week trial. Brady had previously denied the murder, which occurred on August 2 or 3, 2015, at Kivlehan's home on Holborn Street. His plea of guilty to manslaughter was rejected by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The court heard that Kivlehan, who was 60 and suffering from ill-health and intoxication, was stabbed twice in the neck. Evidence indicated the scene was staged to resemble suicide, with a knife placed on the victim's chest, while Brady allegedly ordered heroin to be brought to the apartment. Mr Justice Alex Owens sentenced Brady to the mandatory term of life imprisonment, backdated to November 24, 2016, when he first entered custody. In a separate matter, Janice Brady, 29, pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of her brother, knowing or believing he was guilty of a killing. The victim's brother, Christopher Kivlehan, stated that the family remains appalled by the death and that stress contributed to the death of another brother, Padraic. The judge thanked the jury and exempted them from further service for five years.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Addict guilty of murdering talented Sligo musician after three trials. Charges or matters: impeding the apprehension or prosecution of her brother, knowing or believing that he was guilty of a killing. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

August 2 Other
November 24, 2016 Other
August 3rd 2015 Other
2019-11-18 Publication

Case subjects

Janice Brady

Defendant

Charges: impeding the apprehension or prosecution of her brother, knowing or believing that he was guilty of a killing (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mr Kivlehan said: "We have no doubt stress was a contributing factor in his death." He concluded: "Whatever sentence is given will be nothing compared to the sentence our family has been given to bear for the rest of our lives." Two years ago Janice Brady (29), with a last address at Maryville Hostel, Finisklin, Sligo, pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of her brother, knowing or believing that he was guilty of a killing. He sentenced Brady to the mandatory term of life imprisonment, telling prison officers: "Take this man down please." The sentence is backdated to November 24, 2016 when Brady first went into custody.

Keith Brady

Defendant

Charges: impeding the apprehension or prosecution of her brother, knowing or believing that he was guilty of a killing (Alleged Or Contested)