Courts / Cavan / Report

Oliver Kierans to be sentenced next month for killing his wife of 33 years

Date
2015-03-26

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Bailieborough

County
Cavan

Summary

Oliver Kierans, 57, of Drumbannon, Bailieborough, Cavan, was found guilty of the manslaughter of his wife, Patricia Kierans, 54, and the possession of a 12-gauge double barrel shotgun with intent to endanger life. Kierans had pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering Patricia on September 5th, 2013, at their shared address. A jury reached a majority verdict after more than fifteen hours of deliberations, acquitting him of murder but convicting him of manslaughter and the firearm offences. The court heard that the couple had been married for 33 years and had four children. Prosecution evidence indicated that Patricia had left the family home in spring 2013, ending the relationship, before returning to the house in her car on the day of the incident. Kierans claimed he intended to commit suicide and the modified shotgun discharged accidentally, killing Patricia. He subsequently pointed the weapon at a Garda in Bailieborough before his arrest. Victim impact statements from the four children and Patricia's siblings described the profound loss to the family. Justice Aileen Donnelly adjourned the matter, ordering that sentencing take place on April 20th.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Oliver Kierans to be sentenced next month for killing his wife of 33 years. Charges or matters: murdering Patricia Kierans (54) on September 5th, 2013 at the same address; the possession of a 12-gauge double barrel shotgun and guilty of possession with intent to endanger life by the jury last month. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty

When:

September 5th, 2013 Incident
September 2013 Other
September 5th Hearing Or Sentence
April 20th Other
2015-03-26 Publication

Why: He received a reply in which Patricia said the relationship was over because she didn't want further contact from him. CNI source report

Case subjects

Oliver Kierans

Convicted Person

Charges: murdering Patricia Kierans (54) on September 5th, 2013 at the same address; the possession of a 12-gauge double barrel shotgun and guilty of possession with intent to endanger life by the jury last month (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty

Patricia Kierans

Convicted Person

Charges: the possession of a 12-gauge double barrel shotgun and guilty of possession with intent to endanger life by the jury last month (Proven)

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty