Courts / Mayo / Report

Kilroy gets legal aid to fight conviction for murdering wife

Date
2024-10-25
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Westport
County
Mayo

Summary

James Kilroy, 51, from Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo, has been granted legal aid to appeal his murder conviction. He was unanimously convicted at the Central Criminal Court of murdering his wife in June 2019, following his third trial after two previous proceedings collapsed. The jury rejected Kilroy's insanity defence, which centred on cannabis-induced psychosis. During the trial, psychiatric experts disagreed on whether such a condition constitutes a valid legal defence under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act. The trial judge noted the jury's verdict accorded with legislative policy, as self-induced scenarios are not recognised defences. Kilroy received a life sentence last summer. The Court of Appeal granted him legal aid for two counsel to pursue his conviction appeal, one of twelve applications heard that morning.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Kilroy gets legal aid to fight conviction for murdering wife. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
  • Court of Appeal

Topics

Drugs Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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