Courts / Cork / Report
'Emotionally manipulative man' burned woman alive after becoming 'obsessed'
Summary
Michael Leonard, aged 63, was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering 72‑year‑old Mary O'Keeffe by burning her alive in a car fire at Doneraile, Co Cork, on 4 February last year. Leonard had met O'Keeffe at a wooded area, poured two gallons of petrol into her car and set it on fire shortly after she arrived. A post‑mortem confirmed she was alive when the fire started and that her death was caused by extreme third‑degree burns and inhalation of carbon monoxide. O'Keeffe, a widow and cook, had known Leonard since 2016 and had ended their relationship in 2019. Leonard, who had no prior convictions, was found in the River Awbeg the day after the murder and was arrested the following day. The court described the attack as the most horrific fire‑related murder and expressed condolences to O'Keeffe's family. The sentencing judge imposed the mandatory life term for murder.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Emotionally manipulative man' burned woman alive after becoming 'obsessed'. Charges or matters: murder. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 4 Hearing Or Sentence
- Christmas 2020 Other
- 2022-12-14 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murder (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Michael Leonard (63) of Hillcrest, Glenosheen, Kilmallock, Co Limerick was today sentenced to life imprisonment after pleading guilty to the murder of 72-year-old Mary O'Keeffe at a woodland at Doneraile, Co Cork on February 4, last year.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Mitchelstown Road
Topics
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