Courts / Kildare / Report

Murder accused claimed he 'didn't know sh*t' about reason for arrest

Date
2025-03-25

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Newbridge

County
Kildare

Summary

Brian Ibe, 23, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting Garda Brendan O'Donnell and later charged with the murder of Peter Kennedy, a 65‑year‑old retired probation officer, who died from head injuries on 12 May 2020. Ibe, who has no fixed abode and was formerly of Moore Park, Newbridge, claims he only met Kennedy once and did not want anything to do with him, describing him as a "weird, strange old man". He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to both the murder and the assault. The prosecution argues that Ibe was not within the "ingredients" for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity or diminished responsibility. The jury has been told it is not contested that Ibe carried out the fatal attack. The trial is set to continue before Ms Justice Melanie Greally and a jury of twelve.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused claimed he 'didn't know sh*t' about reason for arrest. Procedural stage: trial

When:

April 28 Incident
May 12, 2020 Incident
April 29, 2020 Incident
September 2019 Other
April 28, 2020 Other
Christmas Other
2025-03-25 Publication

Why: A young man accused of murdering a 65-year-old man who had taken him into his home told gardai he only met the deceased once and didn't want anything to do with him because he looked like a "weird, strange old man". CNI source report