Courts / Kildare / Report

'Psychotic cowardly killer' had 'no respect' for victim's family, court hears

Date
2025-07-28

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Kildare

County
Kildare

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the brother of cancer‑survivor Jeffrey Jackson said the defendant, 39‑year‑old Ryan Kearney, showed no respect or remorse for the family when the verdict was read. Kearney, who had 152 prior convictions, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter after a jury rejected the prosecution's claim that he had intentionally stabbed Jackson from head to toe. Kearney claimed he acted in self‑defence during a "frenzied knife" attack that left Jackson with 16 stab wounds, two fatal chest wounds, and a death caused by alcohol‑related impairment. The court heard that Kearney had previously been convicted of drug possession, theft, and other offences, and that he had been on bail for several matters at the time of the incident. The sentencing hearing was scheduled for Thursday, with Kearney remanded in custody. The victim impact statements highlighted the family's grief and the brutality of the attack.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Psychotic cowardly killer' had 'no respect' for victim's family, court hears. Charges or matters: murdering Mr Jackson (50) at The Lamps, School Street, Kilcock, Co Kildare on February 8, 2024. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

February 8, 2024 Other
February 8 Incident
February 10 Hearing Or Sentence
2025-07-28 Publication

Why: The witness also agreed with Mr Bowman that a row between the men had taken place because of access to a phone or the drinking of vodka. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed 39-year-old

Defendant

Charges: murdering Mr Jackson (50) at The Lamps, School Street, Kilcock, Co Kildare on February 8, 2024 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: He remanded Kearney in custody until Thursday, when he will be sentenced.; He remanded Kearney in custody until Thursday, when he will be sentenced.