Courts / Mayo / Report

Child of mother killed in rural home requested coco pops after gardai found body, trial hears

Date
2023-03-09

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Westport

County
Mayo

Summary

A murder trial at the Central Criminal Court has heard evidence concerning the death of a forty-one-year-old occupational therapist discovered in a campervan at a rural property near Westport, County Mayo in June 2019. Gardaí located the body in a foetal position with a child's car seat covering the face. Three young children were found in the home in a state of distress, hungry and severely dehydrated. One child requested breakfast cereal, which a garda witness purchased. Park ranger James Kilroy, aged forty-nine, from Kilbree Lower, Westport, is charged with murder. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, though his legal representative has made formal admissions that he killed his wife. A consultant psychiatrist from Mayo Mental Health Services assessed the accused on the day of discovery and determined he did not meet criteria for involuntary mental health detention. The accused indicated to the psychiatrist that killing his wife "wasn't part of the plan" and attributed the act to God's will. The trial continues before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Child of mother killed in rural home requested coco pops after gardai found body, trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering occupational therapist Ms French Kilroy (41) at their home on a date unknown between June 13 2019 and June 14 2019, both dates inclusive. Procedural stage: trial

When:

June 13 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
June 14 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
June 14 Hearing Or Sentence
June 25 2019 Other
2023-03-09 Publication

Why: The accused told the witness his name, said he had been on a pilgrimage of penance to Croagh Patrick and that he had to do it because of what he had done. CNI source report

Case subjects

James Kilroy

Accused

Charges: murdering occupational therapist Ms French Kilroy (41) at their home on a date unknown between June 13 2019 and June 14 2019, both dates inclusive (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty