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'Trusted' member of Patricia O'Connor's family guilty of helping murderer
Summary
Keith Johnston, 43, was found guilty of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Kieran Greene, knowing or believing Greene had murdered Patricia O'Connor on May 29, 2017. The jury accepted that Johnston, a handyman and ex-partner of the victim's daughter Louise O'Connor, assisted Greene in purchasing DIY tools intended for the dismemberment of Mrs O'Connor's remains. Louise O'Connor, 41, and Stephanie O'Connor, 22, were also found guilty of impeding justice. Augustine 'Gus' O'Connor, the victim's husband, pleaded guilty to reporting his wife as missing while knowing she was dead. Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded Johnston on continuing bail until April 20, when he will be sentenced alongside the other convicted defendants. Greene, who was found guilty of murder, will receive a mandatory life sentence on that date. The court noted that Greene had altered his account of the killing, initially claiming self-defense and later alleging Gus O'Connor was responsible. The matter was adjourned for sentencing on April 20.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Trusted' member of Patricia O'Connor's family guilty of helping murderer. Charges or matters: reporting his wife as a missing person to gardai at Rathfarnham Garda Station, Dublin 14 on June 1, 2017, knowing she was already dead; her murder, Greene changed his account of killing and dismembering his partner's mother. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- May 29, 2017 Other
- June 9, 2017 Other
- April 20 Adjournment
- June 1, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 10 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 14, 2017 Other
- June 9 Other
- June 2017 Incident
- December 2017 Adjournment
- 2020-02-28 Publication
Why: Johnston also told gardai in his voluntary statement that he had a "nagging thought" that he could potentially be cleaning up a crime scene when he was doing work in the bathroom of Mountainview Park after Mrs O'Connor went missing, The prosecution said this was important because it preceded the shopping trip that he went on with Greene on June 9. Prosecution account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: reporting his wife as a missing person to gardai at Rathfarnham Garda Station, Dublin 14 on June 1, 2017, knowing she was already dead; her murder, Greene changed his account of killing and dismembering his partner's mother (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Johnston was remanded on continuing bail until April 20, when he will be sentenced along with Stephanie O'Connor, Louise O'Connor and Patricia's husband Augustine 'Gus' O'Connor.; Johnston was remanded on continuing bail until April 20, when he will be sentenced along with Stephanie O'Connor, Louise O'Connor and Patricia's husband Augustine 'Gus' O'Connor.
Convicted Person
Charges: reporting his wife as a missing person to gardai at Rathfarnham Garda Station, Dublin 14 on June 1, 2017, knowing she was already dead; her murder, Greene changed his account of killing and dismembering his partner's mother (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Johnston was remanded on continuing bail until April 20, when he will be sentenced along with Stephanie O'Connor, Louise O'Connor and Patricia's husband Augustine 'Gus' O'Connor. The daughter-in-law of Patricia O'Connor, Martina O'Connor, also said the outcome of the trial was "a relief and we hope the sentences reflect the crime".; Johnston was remanded on continuing bail until April 20, when he will be sentenced along with Stephanie O'Connor, Louise O'Connor and Patricia's husband Augustine 'Gus' O'Connor.
Background Person
Charges: reporting his wife as a missing person to gardai at Rathfarnham Garda Station, Dublin 14 on June 1, 2017, knowing she was already dead; her murder, Greene changed his account of killing and dismembering his partner's mother (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Johnston was remanded on continuing bail until April 20, when he will be sentenced along with Stephanie O'Connor, Louise O'Connor and Patricia's husband Augustine 'Gus' O'Connor. The daughter-in-law of Patricia O'Connor, Martina O'Connor, also said the outcome of the trial was "a relief and we hope the sentences reflect the crime".; Johnston was remanded on continuing bail until April 20, when he will be sentenced along with Stephanie O'Connor, Louise O'Connor and Patricia's husband Augustine 'Gus' O'Connor.
Convicted Person
Charges: reporting his wife as a missing person to gardai at Rathfarnham Garda Station, Dublin 14 on June 1, 2017, knowing she was already dead; her murder, Greene changed his account of killing and dismembering his partner's mother (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Johnston was remanded on continuing bail until April 20, when he will be sentenced along with Stephanie O'Connor, Louise O'Connor and Patricia's husband Augustine 'Gus' O'Connor. The daughter-in-law of Patricia O'Connor, Martina O'Connor, also said the outcome of the trial was "a relief and we hope the sentences reflect the crime".; Johnston was remanded on continuing bail until April 20, when he will be sentenced along with Stephanie O'Connor, Louise O'Connor and Patricia's husband Augustine 'Gus' O'Connor.
Places mentioned
- Avonbeg Gardens
- Tallaght
- Dublin
- Mountainview Park
- Rathfarnham
- to gardai at Rathfarnham Garda Station
- Rathfarnham
- Mountainview Park
- Cloverhill Prison
Topics
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