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'House of Horrors' murderer Greene fails in appeal against conviction

Summary

The Court of Appeal has dismissed Kieran Greene's appeal against his murder conviction for killing Patricia O'Connor at her home in Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, on May 29, 2017. Greene, who pleaded not guilty, had argued that the trial judge erred by refusing to leave a defence of provocation to the jury, claiming he suffered a "slow burn" similar to domestic abuse victims. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy rejected this, stating there was no evidential basis for such a defence. The court also upheld the refusal to sever Greene's trial from his co-accused and dismissed arguments regarding the admissibility of hearsay evidence concerning the deceased's husband, Augustine O'Connor. Augustine O'Connor, who pleaded guilty to reporting his wife missing to gardai at Rathfarnham Garda Station on June 1, 2017, knowing she was dead, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and has since died. In related proceedings, Louise O'Connor was found guilty of acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie O'Connor disguising herself as the deceased to conceal her death; Louise was jailed for two-and-a-half years. Stephanie O'Connor, found guilty of disguising herself as Patricia O'Connor, was jailed for one-and-a-half years. The appeal court confirmed the trial judge was correct in limiting jury options to murder, manslaughter, or acquittal, rejecting the defence's request for an accessory-to-murder verdict.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'House of Horrors' murderer Greene fails in appeal against conviction. Charges or matters: reporting his wife missing to gardai while knowing that she was already dead; reporting his wife as a missing person to gardai at Rathfarnham Garda Station, Dublin 14 on June 1, 2017, knowing she was already dead; agreeing to or acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie O'Connor disguising herself as Patricia O'Connor to conceal the fact that Patricia O'Connor was dead at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 on May 29, 2017; disguising herself as Patricia O'Connor to conceal the fact that she was already dead at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 after her murder on May 29, 2017; murdering the gardening enthusiast at her home in Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 on May 29 2017 and had given two accounts of Mrs O'Connor's death; her murder, Greene changed his account o

When:

• February 2020 Other
• June 1, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 29, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
• June 10 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 29 2017 Incident
• June 2017 Incident
• December 2017 Adjournment
• 2022-11-11 Publication

Why: Mr Justice McCarthy said the trial judge was correct not to sever the trials because it was not possible for the case to be held in isolation. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report