Courts / Cavan / Report
'Have to go to country... if anything happens to me" - message found on shooting victim's phone
Summary
At the Central Criminal Court, a jury heard that drug dealer Eoin O'Connor sent a text message on April 22, 2014, stating "have to go to country… if anything happens to me" before he and Anthony Keegan disappeared. Ruth Lawrence (45), with an address in Co Meath, has pleaded not guilty to murdering both men at an unknown location between April 22 and May 26, 2014. A senior garda intelligence analyst told the court she examined phone records for twelve numbers in the investigation. Cell site data indicated the men travelled from Dublin to Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan that evening. Ms Lawrence's phone showed activity consistent with travel towards Cavan town after 6.25pm, with her last connection at 7.36pm. The prosecution alleges Ms Lawrence and her boyfriend killed Mr O'Connor over a €70,000 drug debt, with both bodies later discovered bound and wrapped on Inchicup Island, Lough Sheelin. The trial continues.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Have to go to country... if anything happens to me" - message found on shooting victim's phone. Charges or matters: murdering Anthony Keegan (33) and Eoin O'Connor (32) at an unknown location within the State on a date between April 22, 2014 and May 26, 2014, both dates inclusive. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- April 22, 2014 Other
- May 26, 2014 Other
- April 22 Other
- April 23, 2014 Other
- Tuesday April 22 Other
- Monday April 21 2014 Other
- 2025-10-29 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murdering Anthony Keegan (33) and Eoin O'Connor (32) at an unknown location within the State on a date between April 22, 2014 and May 26, 2014, both dates inclusive (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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