Courts / Wexford / Report

Wexford man who murdered his ex-girlfriend's partner while at large from prison is jailed for life

Date
2015-12-17

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Wexford

County
Wexford

Summary

James Connors, 29, of Rosemount, Drinagh, Co. Wexford, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Jason Ryan, 27, at Hollyville Heights on 25 January 2012. Connors had been serving a sentence for assault and was unlawfully absent from prison when he killed Ryan. The jury, after 11 hours and 21 minutes of deliberation, found him guilty of murder by a 10‑to‑2 majority. The court heard that Connors had approached Ryan's apartment at midnight, exchanged insults, and then stabbed Ryan five times with a kitchen knife. Evidence included CCTV footage, DNA on the knife, and testimony from Ryan's mother, Catherine Ryan, who described the loss and anger caused by the killing. Connors' prior convictions, including a five‑year assault sentence, were also presented. Justice Margaret Heneghan imposed a mandatory life sentence, back‑dating it by two years and three months to account for time already served before bail was granted. James Connors pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Wexford man who murdered his ex-girlfriend's partner while at large from prison is jailed for life. Charges or matters: the murder of Jason Ryan (27), at Hollyville Heights in Wexford on January 25, 2012. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

January 25, 2012 Incident
March 2009 Incident
December 2011 Incident
January 2012 Incident
January 24th Hearing Or Sentence
Christmas Incident
2015-12-17 Publication

Why: She said: "How do you describe what it's like to have your healthy, glowing son die because of the whim of another person? CNI source report

Case subjects

James Connors

Defendant

Charges: the murder of Jason Ryan (27), at Hollyville Heights in Wexford on January 25, 2012 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Sentencing Mr Connors, Justice Margaret Heneghan said that she was imposing the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. She backdated the sentence by two years and three months to take into account time already served in prison before Mr Connors was granted bail.