Courts / Westmeath / Report

Retired army private cleared of murdering prostitute but found guilty of her manslaughter

Date
2015-07-30

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Athlone

Summary

In a Westmeath case, retired army private Jimmy Devaney, aged 67, was acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter in the death of prostitute Marie Greene on 13 February 2011. The jury, after 4 hours 23 minutes, returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty of murder and guilty of manslaughter. Justice Margaret Heneghan thanked the jury and excused them for 15 years, adjourned sentencing to 2 November, and remanded Devaney in custody until that date. Greene was last seen alive on the night of her death and her body was discovered nine days later in Anagorta Bog. Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy reported six stab wounds to the trunk and multiple incise wounds to the head and neck, some possibly part of a continuous attack after death. The State alleged Devaney murdered Greene because she had blackmailed him for money and threatened to reveal his wife.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Retired army private cleared of murdering prostitute but found guilty of her manslaughter. Charges or matters: murdering Marie Greene in Westmeath on February 13, 2011. Procedural stage: trial

When:

February 13, 2011 Adjournment
November 2 Adjournment
2015-07-30 Publication

Why: It was the State's case that Devaney murdered Marie Greene because she had been blackmailing him for money or that she would tell his wife. CNI source report