Courts / Waterford / Report

Two women jailed for four years for killing grandfather

Date
2013-12-20

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Waterford

Summary

In Waterford, Johanna Kelly (40) and Michelle Hynes (41), both without fixed abode, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Joe O'Brien, a 60‑year‑old friend of the apartment's occupant. The killing occurred on 23 April 2012 when Patrick Keating struck O'Brien with a dumbbell, after which Kelly and Hynes joined, kicking him while he lay on the floor. Detective Garda David Butler described the assault as involving repeated kicks to the body, not the head, and noted that the victim had made a crude reference to oral sex, which may have provoked the attack. Both women had extensive criminal histories: Kelly 15 convictions, Hynes 24. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy sentenced them to six years' imprisonment, with the last two years suspended, and imposed two years of post‑release supervision. The judge expressed deep sensitivity to the family's suffering, citing a sad victim impact report.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Two women jailed for four years for killing grandfather. Charges or matters: the manslaughter of Joe O'Brien. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

April 23, 2012 Other
2013-12-20 Publication

Why: "Alcohol is no excuse for causing harm to anybody and because of my actions and where it (alcohol) has lead me I will never consume another drink again," she said. CNI source report