Courts / Kildare / Report

'Kind' man killed in own home after allowing alleged murderer to stay with him, trial hears

Date
2024-07-23

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Newbridge

County
Kildare

Summary

In a murder trial, the jury heard that Brian Ibe, aged 23, allegedly killed Peter Kennedy in Newbridge between 28 April and 12 May 2020. Ibe, who had previously lived in Moore Park, Newbridge, and was associated with the Peter McVerry Trust, Dublin 12, had allowed Kennedy to stay in his home and also permitted Kennedy's mother to stay there until they found other accommodation. The State argued that Kennedy had become unhappy with Ibe's behaviour, leading to verbal disputes that prompted Gardaí to visit the house in December 2019. On the night of the killing, Ibe allegedly travelled from Dublin, smashed a window to enter the house, and attacked Kennedy, who sustained serious head injuries and died at Beaumont Hospital. Ibe has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder and to an assault charge against Garda Brendan O'Donnell. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Burns, is expected to last up to two weeks.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Kind' man killed in own home after allowing alleged murderer to stay with him, trial hears. Procedural stage: trial

When:

April 28, 2020 Incident
May 12, 2020 Incident
April 29, 2020 Incident
December 2019 Other
2024-07-23 Publication

Why: Mr Kennedy allowed Mr Ibe's mother to come and go at the house because he had heard she had been living in her car for periods, said counsel. CNI source report