Courts / Kildare / Report

Gardai told murder accused account of stabbing 'wasn't making sense'

Date
2025-06-30
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Kildare
County
Kildare

Summary

During the trial, Gardaí questioned Ryan Kearney, 39, who pleaded not guilty to the murder of Jeffrey Jackson, 50, at The Lamps, Kilcock, on 8 February 2024. Kearney claimed he stabbed Jackson in self‑defence after a scuffle, stating he had no intention to kill and was afraid for his life. He said he had taken a knife from Jackson's partner, stabbed him in the neck, and later stabbed him again when Jackson attacked him. Gardaí noted that Kearney's account was inconsistent: he admitted to stabbing Jackson in the back, washing the knife, and cleaning his hands, yet the prosecution's evidence showed 16 separate knife wounds, including one 17 cm deep, and Jackson was over eight times the legal drink‑driving limit. Kearney also admitted to fabricating parts of his story, including claims of intruders in the apartment. The prosecution's evidence was presented, and the trial was set to continue tomorrow before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gardai told murder accused account of stabbing 'wasn't making sense'. Charges or matters: murdering Jeffrey Jackson (50) at The Lamps, School Street, Kilcock, Co Kildare on February 8, 2024. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: "Because he kept attacking me," replied the accused. 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 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: I'm a lover not a fighter". "I'm not risking doing a lengthy sentence for somebody like him," concluded the accused.

Places mentioned

Residence
Address Area
  • School Street
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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