Courts / Dublin / Report

Patricia O'Connor's husband knew she was dead when he reported her missing, jury are told

Date
2020-02-11
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

The Central Criminal Court trial of Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor, and Keith Johnston is ongoing. Greene, 35, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Patricia O'Connor, 61, at her home in Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, on May 29, 2017. The other three accused have pleaded not guilty to charges of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of an offender. The jury was told that Augustine 'Gus' O'Connor, 75, originally part of the trial, pleaded guilty on the first hearing date to reporting his wife missing on June 1, 2017, while knowing she was dead. Evidence presented includes Detective Inspector Brian O'Keeffe's testimony regarding Greene's initial statements and subsequent retraction, where Greene alleged he was set up. The prosecution closed its case, and defence counsel made applications in the jury's absence. The court heard that Mrs O'Connor's remains were found dismembered in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned the proceedings, instructing the jury to return the following morning at 12pm.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Patricia O'Connor's husband knew she was dead when he reported her missing, jury are told. Charges or matters: murdering Mrs O'Connor (61) at her home in Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 on May 29, 2017; impeding the apprehension or prosecution of an offender on October 18, 2018, he said; reporting his wife missing on June 1, 2017, when he knew she was already dead, thereby impeding the apprehension of an offender; her murder, Mr Greene changed his account of killing and dismembering his partner's mother; 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; 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

When:

Why: Det Insp O'Keeffe said gardai spoke to Mr O'Connor on June 14, 2017 because of the missing person report he had provided to them on June 1. CNI source report

Case subjects

Keith Johnston

Accused

Charges: impeding the apprehension or prosecution of an offender on October 18, 2018, he said; reporting his wife missing on June 1, 2017, when he knew she was already dead, thereby impeding the apprehension of an offender; her murder, Mr Greene changed his account of killing and dismembering his partner's mother; 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; 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; 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 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Kieran Greene

Accused

Charges: murdering Mrs O'Connor (61) at her home in Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 on May 29, 2017; impeding the apprehension or prosecution of an offender on October 18, 2018, he said; reporting his wife missing on June 1, 2017, when he knew she was already dead, thereby impeding the apprehension of an offender; her murder, Mr Greene changed his account of killing and dismembering his partner's mother; 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; 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; 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 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Louise O'Connor

Accused

Charges: impeding the apprehension or prosecution of an offender on October 18, 2018, he said; reporting his wife missing on June 1, 2017, when he knew she was already dead, thereby impeding the apprehension of an offender; her murder, Mr Greene changed his account of killing and dismembering his partner's mother; 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; 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; 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 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Stephanie O'Connor

Accused

Charges: impeding the apprehension or prosecution of an offender on October 18, 2018, he said; reporting his wife missing on June 1, 2017, when he knew she was already dead, thereby impeding the apprehension of an offender; her murder, Mr Greene changed his account of killing and dismembering his partner's mother; 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; 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; 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 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • The Central Criminal Court
Residence
Garda Station
  • to gardai at Rathfarnham Garda Station
  • Rathfarnham
  • presenting himself at Rathfarnham Garda Station
Address Area
  • Mountainview Park
Incident
Journey Or Route
Facility
  • Cloverhill Prison

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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