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Man who stabbed love rival to death appeals murder conviction
Summary
A Dublin man, Keith Connorton, aged 42, appealed his murder conviction for stabbing Graham McKeever, 32, to death at his home on 18 February 2017. Connorton claimed self‑defence after McKeever allegedly punched him and attacked with a knife. The trial hinged on conflicting statements from Connorton's partner, Clare McGrath, who first blamed Connorton for the stabbing but later altered her testimony. Lawyers argued that the prosecution should not have admitted McGrath's 999 call and statements to Gardaí, citing potential fabrication after she was assaulted. The judge allowed the evidence, and the jury found Connorton guilty of murder by a 10‑to‑2 majority. The appeal focuses on the admissibility of McGrath's statements and the alleged risk of false testimony. The case remains at the appeal stage.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who stabbed love rival to death appeals murder conviction. Charges or matters: murder by a ten-to-two majority verdict by a jury at the Central Criminal Court in December 2018. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- February 18, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 17, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2021-04-30 Publication
Why: They also argued that a 999 call in which she blamed Connorton should have been ruled out because what she said may have been "concocted" or "fabricated". CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: murder by a ten-to-two majority verdict by a jury at the Central Criminal Court in December 2018 (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
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