Courts / Wicklow / Report

Family discovered human torso while picnicking in Wicklow mountains, trial hears

Date
2020-01-16

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Enniskerry

County
Wicklow

Summary

The Central Criminal Court trial of Kieran Greene, 34, has heard evidence regarding the discovery of human remains in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. Prosecutors allege that 61-year-old Patricia O'Connor was murdered at her Rathfarnham home on May 29, 2017, and her body was subsequently dismembered and dispersed across nine locations. Witnesses described finding a torso near the Military Road in Enniskerry on June 10, 2017, while picnicking. Medical evidence confirmed the remains belonged to Mrs O'Connor via dental records. Mr Greene, of Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Louise O'Connor, 41, and Stephanie O'Connor, 22, have both pleaded not guilty to charges including disguising themselves as the deceased to conceal her death and assisting in the purchase of implements for concealment. Keith Johnston, 43, has pleaded not guilty to assisting Mr Greene in purchasing items and refurbishing a bathroom to destroy evidence. The prosecution alleges the body was buried in Co Wexford before being dismembered. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury, with an expected duration of five to seven weeks.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Family discovered human torso while picnicking in Wicklow mountains, trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering Patricia O'Connor 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:

June 10, 2017 Other
June 10 Hearing Or Sentence
June 12 Other
June 13 Other
September 2008 Other
June 14 Other
July 2007 Other
June 11 Other
May 29, 2017 Incident
June 9, 2017 Other
May 31, 2017 Other
June 1, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
2020-01-16 Publication

Why: Under cross-examination, Gda Maher told defence counsel Edward Sweetman BL, for Mr Greene, that it look like someone had stood on the bank and "chucked it" in because of the way the grass was flattened. Defence 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

Defendant

Charges: murdering Patricia O'Connor 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

Accused

Plea: Not guilty

Stephanie O'Connor

Accused

Plea: Not guilty