Courts / Dublin / Report

Patricia O'Connor trial jury expected to begin deliberations on Monday

Date
2020-02-21
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

The Central Criminal Court trial of Kieran Greene, 35, accused of murdering 61‑year‑old Patricia O'Connor, is set to begin jury deliberations on Monday. Greene has pleaded not guilty. The case involves the dismemberment of Mrs O'Connor's body into 15 parts found across nine sites in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. Evidence includes blunt‑force trauma to the head and the discovery of tools such as hacksaws and a hatchet. Greene's defence has highlighted inconsistencies in his statements to Gardaí, citing a change in his account from June to December 2017 and alleged Garda follow‑up failures. The prosecution presents circumstantial evidence linking Greene to the murder. Three other defendants—Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor and Keith Johnston—are charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Greene, each pleading not guilty. The jury will consider separate verdicts for the murder charge and the ancillary offences. The judge will finish charging the jury on Monday.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Patricia O'Connor trial jury expected to begin deliberations on Monday. Charges or matters: 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. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: The judge explained that this was known as "circumstantial evidence" and the State's case was that the "combined weight of the evidence" was important. CNI source report

Case subjects

Keith Johnston

Accused

Charges: 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: 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: 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
  • Central Criminal Court
Address Area
  • Mountainview Park
  • Military Road
  • Dodder Valley Park
Residence

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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