Courts / Wexford / Report

The Cover-up

Date
2020-12-23

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Wexford

County
Wexford

Summary

At the trial of Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, and Stephanie O'Connor, the jury heard evidence regarding the murder of Patricia O'Connor and a subsequent cover-up. The prosecution alleged that Greene murdered O'Connor on May 29, 2017, and that Louise and Stephanie conspired to disguise Stephanie as the deceased to create a false CCTV record of her leaving the house alive. The State argued this ruse was designed to mislead anyone reporting her missing. Evidence included CCTV footage showing a figure in a hooded jacket leaving the property at 9:34pm, which the jury was invited to identify as Stephanie. Prosecutors presented testimony that Greene gave conflicting accounts of the death, first claiming self-defence and later blaming Augustine O'Connor, while forensic experts noted a lack of blood evidence despite Greene's claims of a struggle and cleaning. The trial also examined Greene's movements, including fueling a car in Templeogue and purchasing tools with Keith Johnston, who was seen performing repairs at the house. The prosecution maintained that the defendants acted in concert to conceal the body, which was later found dismembered in the Wicklow mountains. The report details the procedural stage as a trial, with the jury hearing closing speeches and evidence regarding the alleged conspiracy and the disposal of the victim.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: The Cover-up. 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. Procedural stage: trial

When:

May 29, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
June 2017 Incident
May 29 Other
June 21 Other
May 30 Other
June 1 Other
June 9 Other
June 1, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
2020-12-23 Publication

Why: At the outset of the trial, it was the State's contention that Keith Johnston had also redecorated the bathroom at Mountainview Park in order to destroy or conceal any evidence relating to the murder of Mrs O'Connor. CNI source report

Case subjects

Despite Greene

Applicant

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 (Alleged Or Contested)