Courts / Mayo / Report
Family of 'savagely slaughtered' Valerie French call for change in law
Summary
James Kilroy was sentenced to life imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court today following his conviction for the murder of his wife, Valerie French, at their home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, County Mayo, between 13 and 14 June 2019. Kilroy had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but a jury rejected that defence. The State Pathologist determined that Ms French died from ligature strangulation combined with blunt force trauma and a stab wound to the neck. During sentencing, Ms French's family called for legislative change to prevent convicted murderers from retaining parental rights over their children, citing similar protections in the United Kingdom. The victim's brother told the court that Kilroy has demonstrated no remorse and attempted to avoid accountability for the killing. Ms French's family emphasised the widespread impact on relatives, friends and the community, and urged women experiencing abuse to contact gardaí.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Family of 'savagely slaughtered' Valerie French call for change in law. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 13th Hearing Or Sentence
- June 14th, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-07-29 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Outcome: Mr Justice Tony Hunt sentenced Kilroy this afternoon to the mandatory term of life imprisonment. That is the impact." Their mother, who was in "deep shock and could not come to terms with this evil act," died soon after Valerie's death. "I believe that for our mother the impact was a death sentence," Mr French said.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Central Mental Hospital
Topics
Related court reports
- Prisoner spared further jail time for e-scooter theft
- Defilement conviction quashed as court finds judge 'crossed a line'
- 'I hold no ill will': Daughter of Mayo woman killed by truck addresses driver
- 'Hunter' who plunged knife through grandmother's neck in random city centre attack gets 12 years
- Grandmother randomly stabbed in head in Dublin city centre while watching Christmas lights switch-on
- Mayo man with gambling addiction stole over €34,000
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request