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Supreme Court dismisses man's bid to overturn conviction for murdering love rival

Summary

In a 2023 Supreme Court decision, a Dublin man, Keith Connorton, 44, had his appeal against a murder conviction dismissed. Connorton had been found guilty in 2019 of killing 32‑year‑old Graham McKeever on 18 February 2017 after an argument with his partner Claire McGrath. The jury, in a 10‑to‑two verdict, sentenced him to life imprisonment. Connorton's appeal centred on the admissibility of a 999 call made by McGrath, which the trial judge admitted under the "res gestae" exception to the hearsay rule. The Supreme Court panel, in a unanimous decision, upheld the trial judge's ruling, agreeing that the emergency call was properly admitted and that the conviction should stand. No new evidence or outcome was introduced beyond the confirmation of the original verdict.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Supreme Court dismisses man's bid to overturn conviction for murdering love rival. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• February 18th, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2023-07-28 Publication

Why: It claimed that another reason for admitting the call into evidence was just as valid and that modern technology has outstripped the circumstances in which the hearsay rule developed. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report