Courts / Cavan / Report
Double murder accused feared she would become victim of human trafficking, pastor tells trial
Summary
Ruth Lawrence, aged 46 and originally from Clontarf, Dublin, is on trial in Ireland for the murders of Anthony Keegan (33) and Eoin O'Connor (32). She was extradited from South Africa nearly a decade after the bodies were found on Lough Sheelin. Lawrence denies the charges. Her defence cites testimony from Pastor Robert Roger Brazelle, who says Lawrence worked in safehouses for trafficking victims in Pretoria and Bloemfontein, and Pastor Andre Lombard, who confirms her involvement in feeding schemes for the poor. The prosecution alleges that Lawrence shot O'Connor and, with boyfriend Neville van der Westhuizen, killed both men. Van der Westhuizen is serving a 15‑year sentence in South Africa for kidnapping, attempted murder and murder; extradition to Ireland is pending after his sentence ends. The trial is before Mr Justice Tony Hunt with a jury of twelve.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Double murder accused feared she would become victim of human trafficking, pastor tells trial. Charges or matters: murdering Mr Keegan and Mr O'Connor at an unknown location within the State on a date between April 22, 2014 and May 26, 2014, both dates inclusive. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- April 22, 2014 Other
- May 26, 2014 Other
- May 2016 Other
- April 2017 Other
- July 2019 Other
- May 25, 2023 Other
- May 2023 Other
- October 14, 2016 Other
- October 2016 Incident
- November 18, 2022 Incident
- September 2024 Other
- February 2017 Incident
- 2025-10-31 Publication
Why: The pastor explained that human trafficking is "very well known" in South Africa, especially in the capital Pretoria. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: murdering Mr Keegan and Mr O'Connor 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
Outcome: The 12 jurors were also told today that the accused's boyfriend Neville van der Westhuizen is currently serving a 15-year sentence in Westville Prison in Durban, having been convicted in 2020 on six counts of kidnapping, attempted murder and the murder.; The lawyer said the application to extradite Mr van der Westhuizen to Ireland is adjourned until his sentence in South Africa is complete, which might be in 2035, and if he is given parole in the meantime then the extradition case may become live again.
Places mentioned
- Westville Prison
Topics
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