Courts / Dublin / Report

Closing speech in trial of woman accused of disguising herself as dead grandmother

Date
2020-02-19

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Rathfarnham

County
Dublin

Summary

In the trial of Stephanie O'Connor, a 22‑year‑old accused of disguising herself as her grandmother to conceal the latter's death, the defence argued that no direct evidence proved she was absent from the house on the night of May 29 2017. The prosecution claimed a lack of a "smoking gun" and alleged that the CCTV footage was incomplete, suggesting that the defendant's actions were a ruse. The case also involved Louise O'Connor, 41, and Keith Johnston, 43, charged with impeding the apprehension of the alleged murderer, Kieran Greene, 35. Evidence presented included dismemberment of the body into 15 parts found across a 30 km range, blunt‑force trauma to the head, and conflicting statements from Greene. The defence highlighted the absence of hard evidence and the possibility of false testimony, urging the jury to acquit the accused. The trial concluded with the defence's closing remarks, and the prosecution's case was deemed speculative. Kieran Greene pleaded not guilty. Louise O'Connor pleaded not guilty. Stephanie O'Connor pleaded not guilty. Keith Johnston pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Closing speech in trial of woman accused of disguising herself as dead grandmother. Charges or matters: murdering Patricia O'Connor at her home in Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 on May 29, 2017; 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; 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; her murder, Mr Greene changed his account of killing and

When:

May 29, 2017 Incident
June 10 Hearing Or Sentence
May 29 Incident
December 2017 Incident
June 2017 Incident
June 14 Other
June 9, 2017 Other
June 12, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
2020-02-19 Publication

Why: It is the State's case that, in order to cover up the alleged murder, Stephanie dressed up as her grandmother as "a ruse" to pretend that Mrs O'Connor had stormed out of the house on the night of May 29, 2017. CNI source report

Case subjects

Keith Johnston

Accused

Charges: 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; 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; her murder, Mr Greene changed his account of killing and dismembering his partner's mother (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Kieran Greene

Accused

Charges: murdering Patricia O'Connor at her home in Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 on May 29, 2017; 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; 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; her murder, Mr Greene changed his account of killing and dismembering his partner's mother (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Louise O'Connor

Accused

Plea: Not guilty

Stephanie O'Connor

Accused

Plea: Not guilty