Courts / Wexford / Report

Mountains murder accused said he felt he was being "set-up"

Date
2020-01-23

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Wexford

County
Wexford

Summary

The Central Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor, and Keith Johnston, all of whom pleaded not guilty to charges related to the murder of Patricia O'Connor (61) at her home in Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, on May 29, 2017. Greene is accused of murdering Mrs. O'Connor, while the other three are charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Greene. The jury heard a December 2017 interview in which Greene alleged he was "set-up" and "took the rap" for the killing. He claimed Gus O'Connor struck his wife with a crowbar and instructed him to assume responsibility. Greene stated Louise O'Connor told him to "get rid" of the body, and Keith Johnston "made a plan" to dismember the remains in Wexford and scatter them in the Wicklow mountains. Greene alleged Stephanie O'Connor disguised herself as her grandmother to conceal the death. The court noted that Mrs. O'Connor's body was found in 15 parts across nine locations. The matter is currently at trial stage, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Mountains murder accused said he felt he was being "set-up". Charges or matters: murdering Mrs O'Connor (61) at her home in Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 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:

December 9, 2017 Adjournment
May 29, 2017 Incident
June 10 Other
June 12, 2017 Other
June 12 Incident
June 13 Incident
June 13, 2017 Other
June 14, 2017 Other
May 29 Other
June 9, 2017 Other
May 31, 2017 Other
2020-01-23 Publication

Why: Det Sgt Hanley said Mr Greene told him he wanted to discuss the case and explained that he had been attacked by Mrs O'Connor with a hurley in the bathroom of Mountainview. CNI source report

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

Louise O'Connor

Defendant

Charges: murdering Mrs O'Connor (61) at her home in Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 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

Stephanie O'Connor

Defendant

Plea: Not guilty