Courts / Kildare / Report

'I stabbed but did not murder him': trial hears of accused's response to charge

Date
2025-06-24

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Kilcock

County
Kildare

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, 39‑year‑old Ryan Kearney pleaded not guilty to the murder of 50‑year‑old Jeffrey Jackson. Kearney told Gardaí that he had stabbed Jackson in the neck but did not kill him, claiming the victim was a friend. He was arrested on suspicion of murder on 8 February 2024 after arriving at The Lamps in Kilcock. Garda Detective Sergeant Gerard Moore testified that Kearney had tried to stop a neck wound and was unaware of a severe abdominal stab. Kearney was found intoxicated, with slurred speech and an alcohol odor, and was deemed unfit for questioning for six hours. The prosecution presented evidence of 16 knife wounds, describing the attack as ferocious, which contradicted Kearney's self‑defence claim. The trial proceeded before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'I stabbed but did not murder him': trial hears of accused's response to charge. Charges or matters: murdering Jeffrey Jackson (50) at The Lamps, School Street, Kilcock, Co Kildare on February 8, 2024; the murder of Mr Jackson at 3.10pm on February 10, the accused replied: "I stabbed Jeffrey but did not murder him, he was my friend, that's it". Procedural stage: trial

When:

February 8, 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
February 8 Incident
February 9 Other
February 10 Incident
2025-06-24 Publication

Why: He agreed the accused had made an indiscernible reply because he was intoxicated. CNI source report

Case subjects

Ryan Kearney

Defendant

Charges: murdering Jeffrey Jackson (50) at The Lamps, School Street, Kilcock, Co Kildare on February 8, 2024; the murder of Mr Jackson at 3.10pm on February 10, the accused replied: "I stabbed Jeffrey but did not murder him, he was my friend, that's it" (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty