Courts / Dublin / Report

Grandmother's body dismembered into 15 parts spread over 9 locations, trial hears

Date
2020-01-15

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The trial heard that 61‑year‑old Patricia O'Connor was murdered on 29 May 2017 at her Rathfarnham home. She was struck on the head with a solid implement, then her body was placed in the boot of her Toyota Corolla and taken to Wexford where it was buried in a shallow grave. After the body was exhumed, it was dismembered over three to four hours using hacksaws and a hatchet. Fifteen body parts were found at nine separate locations in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains between 10 and 14 June 2017, including Glencree, Glenmacnass Waterfall and Sally Gap. The prosecution alleged that Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor and Keith Johnston impeded the apprehension or prosecution of Greene, who pleaded not guilty to the murder. The case was presented to a jury by Roisin Lacey SC. The trial is scheduled to continue before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Grandmother's body dismembered into 15 parts spread over 9 locations, trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering Patricia O'Connor (61) at the same address on May 29, 2017; agreeing to or acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie O'Connor disguising herself as Patricia O'Connor at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 on May 29, 2017 in order to conceal the fact that Patricia O'Connor was dead; assisting Mr Greene in the purchase of various implements at Woodie's, Mr Price, B&Q and Shoe Zone, Tallaght, Dublin 24 on June 9, 2017, which were to be used in the concealment of the remains of Mrs O'Connor; disguising herself as Mrs O'Connor at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 at a point in time after her murder on May 29, 2017 in order to conceal the fact that she was already dead. Procedural stage: trial

When:

May 29, 2017 Incident
June 1, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
May 29 Incident
June 10 Other
June 12 Other
June 13 Incident
June 9 Incident
September 2017 Incident
December 2017 Incident
June 9, 2017 Other
May 31, 2017 Other
2020-01-15 Publication

Why: Opening the prosecution's case today, Roisin Lacey SC said the offences alleged against the four accused are "so closely connected in time" and the movements of the individuals involved are important in order to understand the significance of the facts of the case. Prosecution account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Keith Johnston

Accused

Charges: agreeing to or acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie O'Connor disguising herself as Patricia O'Connor at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 on May 29, 2017 in order to conceal the fact that Patricia O'Connor was dead; assisting Mr Greene in the purchase of various implements at Woodie's, Mr Price, B&Q and Shoe Zone, Tallaght, Dublin 24 on June 9, 2017, which were to be used in the concealment of the remains of Mrs O'Connor; disguising herself as Mrs O'Connor at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 at a point in time after her murder on May 29, 2017 in order to conceal the fact that she was already dead (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Kieran Greene

Accused

Charges: murdering Patricia O'Connor (61) at the same address on May 29, 2017; agreeing to or acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie O'Connor disguising herself as Patricia O'Connor at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 on May 29, 2017 in order to conceal the fact that Patricia O'Connor was dead; assisting Mr Greene in the purchase of various implements at Woodie's, Mr Price, B&Q and Shoe Zone, Tallaght, Dublin 24 on June 9, 2017, which were to be used in the concealment of the remains of Mrs O'Connor; disguising herself as Mrs O'Connor at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 at a point in time after her murder on May 29, 2017 in order to conceal the fact that she was already dead (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Louise O'Connor

Defendant

Plea: Not guilty

Stephanie O'Connor

Defendant

Plea: Not guilty