Courts / Louth / Report
'Middle man' in Irene White murder to argue he was suffering 'mental breakdown' when he pleaded guilty
Summary
A man convicted of murder in connection with the death of Dundalk woman Irene White in 2005 is pursuing an appeal, arguing he was suffering a mental breakdown when he pleaded guilty. Niall Power, aged 51 and formerly of Riverstown, Co Louth, was sentenced to life imprisonment in July 2019 after admitting to his role in arranging the killing. Anthony Lambe, of Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, received a concurrent life sentence in 2018 for carrying out the fatal attack. At the Court of Appeal on Friday, Power's legal representatives indicated they would seek to have the guilty plea set aside on mental health grounds. Mr Justice John Edwards granted legal aid and directed that the matter be adjourned to January 17th to allow for the filing of formal documentation regarding an Enlargement of Time application, as the appeal window has expired. The court will subsequently address whether the plea should be withdrawn.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Middle man' in Irene White murder to argue he was suffering 'mental breakdown' when he pleaded guilty. Charges or matters: the murder of the 43-year-old at her home at Ice House, Demesne Road, Dundalk, Co Louth on April 6, 2005; murder. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- April 6, 2005 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2019 Other
- January 2018 Other
- January 17 Other
- 2024-12-06 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: murder (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Anthony Lambe (41), of Annadrumman, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, was jailed for life in January 2018 after he pleaded guilty to murder. Power handed himself into gardai the day after the knife attacker had been sentenced to life for the same crime.
Background Person
Charges: the murder of the 43-year-old at her home at Ice House, Demesne Road, Dundalk, Co Louth on April 6, 2005; murder (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Power – who described himself to gardaí as "the middle man" in arranging the murder of Ms White – was the second man to be given a life sentence for murdering the mother of three 19 years ago. The man who actually stabbed Ms White to death, Anthony Lambe (41), of Annadrumman, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, was jailed for life in January 2018 after he pleaded guilty to murder.
Convicted Person
Charges: the murder of the 43-year-old at her home at Ice House, Demesne Road, Dundalk, Co Louth on April 6, 2005; murder (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced to life in prison in July 2019. Power handed himself into gardai the day after the knife attacker had been sentenced to life for the same crime.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Ice House
- Demesne Road
Topics
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