Courts / Dublin / Report

'Simply appalling': sentences handed down for 'grotesque' murder of Patricia O'Connor

Date
2020-06-26

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Rathfarnham

County
Dublin

Summary

Mr Justice Paul McDermott sentenced four individuals at the Central Criminal Court for their roles in the murder and concealment of Patricia O'Connor. Augustine 'Gus' O'Connor, who pleaded guilty to reporting his wife as missing while knowing she was dead, was sentenced to 18 months in prison. The judge described his actions as a betrayal of his wife and son. Louise O'Connor, found guilty of acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie disguising herself as the deceased to conceal the murder, received a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence. Stephanie O'Connor, found guilty of disguising herself as her grandmother, was jailed for one-and-a-half years. Keith Johnston, found guilty of assisting Kieran Greene in purchasing implements used to conceal the remains, was sentenced to three years. Mr Justice McDermott noted that Greene, who was separately sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder, had changed his account of the killing. The judge emphasized that the defendants' efforts to conceal the crime were elaborate and callous, noting that no attempt was made to seek emergency assistance. The sentences reflect the distinct culpability of each defendant, with the judge highlighting Louise O'Connor's dominant role in the household and Keith Johnston's intent to ensure the remains were never found.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Simply appalling': sentences handed down for 'grotesque' murder of Patricia O'Connor. Charges or matters: 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 Patricia 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 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; murdering the retired hospital worker at her home in Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 on May 29 2017; her murder, Greene changed his account of

When:

May 29, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
June 1, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
June 10 Hearing Or Sentence
June 9, 2017 Other
May 29 2017 Other
June 2017 Incident
December 2017 Adjournment
June 12 Other
2020-06-26 Publication

Why: Sentencing Stephanie O'Connor, who disguised herself as her dead grandmother in order to conceal her murder, Mr Justice McDermott said he did not accept that she has told the full truth about her involvement in the matter but bore a lesser responsibility for the offence than her mother. CNI source report

Case subjects

Gus' O'Connor

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 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mr Justice McDermott sentenced Augustine O'Connor to 18 months in prison today and said his actions in reporting her as a missing person, knowing she had been murdered, was a betrayal to both his wife and their son. The judge then jailed Stephanie O'Connor for one-and-a-half years in prison and her mother Louise O'Connor to two-and-a-half years while Keith Johnston, who is father to two of Louise's five children including Stephanie O'Connor, was sentenced to three years.

Keith Johnston

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 (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: The judge then jailed Stephanie O'Connor for one-and-a-half years in prison and her mother Louise O'Connor to two-and-a-half years while Keith Johnston, who is father to two of Louise's five children including Stephanie O'Connor, was sentenced to three years.

Kieran Greene

Defendant

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)

Outcome: Father-of-three Kieran Greene (35) was sentenced to life in prison on Monday for murdering the retired grandmother, having been found guilty by a jury of inflicting "catastrophic injuries" on Mrs O'Connor in a sustained attack in the bathroom of her Rathfarnham home.

Louise O'Connor

Convicted Person

Charges: 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 Patricia 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 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; murdering the retired hospital worker at her home in Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 on May 29 2017; her murder, Greene changed his account of killing and dismembering his partner's mother (Proven)

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; Micheal P O'Higgins SC, for Augustine O'Connor, asked the judge to consider suspending the sentence on account of the fact that he was four years off his 80th birthday.

Stephanie 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 (Alleged Or Contested)