Courts / Kildare / Report
Murder accused acted in self defence and right to call deceased 'complete lunatic', barrister tells jury
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Ryan Kearney, aged 39, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Jeffrey Jackson, 50, who was stabbed at The Lamps, Kilcock, on 8 February 2024. Kearney claimed he acted in self‑defence after a scuffle with Jackson, who he described as prone to rage and violence and whom he called a "complete lunatic." He said he had taken a knife from Jackson's partner and delivered "a few jabs" to the neck, believing the victim was dead, and that he had no intention to kill. The prosecution, represented by Brendan Grehan SC, argued that Kearney's account did not match the pathology evidence, noting that Jackson suffered 16 separate knife injuries, including a 17‑cm wound, and that the knife was "buried to the hilt." Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC countered that the pathologist's findings suggested the injuries could result from a dynamic struggle with momentum from both sides, and that Kearney's actions were a reasonable.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murder accused acted in self defence and right to call deceased 'complete lunatic', barrister tells jury. Charges or matters: murdering Jeffrey Jackson (50) at The Lamps, School Street, Kilcock, Co Kildare on February 8, 2024. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- February 8, 2024 Other
- 2025-07-02 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murdering Jeffrey Jackson (50) at The Lamps, School Street, Kilcock, Co Kildare on February 8, 2024 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- School Street
Topics
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