Courts / Cavan / Report

Woman worked with boyfriend to 'lure' drug dealer to home and murder him, prosecution tells jury

Date
2025-11-03

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Mountnugent

County
Cavan

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court trial, prosecution barrister Michael O'Higgins SC argued that Ruth Lawrence (46) and her South African boyfriend Neville van der Westhuizen acted as a "unit and tag team" to lure drug dealer Eoin O'Connor (32) to their home at Patricks Cottage, Ross, Mountnugent, and murder him. O'Higgins said Lawrence shot O'Connor in the stomach with intent to kill, but she did not act alone; van der Westhuizen allegedly finished him off, possibly by grappling and shooting him in the head. The prosecution also claimed that the couple killed Anthony Keegan (33) and that both bodies were later found bound and covered on Inchicup Island, Lough Sheelin. Witnesses Jason and Stacey Symes testified that Lawrence told them she had shot O'Connor but it "went wrong" and that van der Westhuizen took over. The case presented evidence of a planned, highly calculated double murder, with Lawrence and van der Westhuizen equally liable under the law. Ruth Lawrence pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Woman worked with boyfriend to 'lure' drug dealer to home and murder him, prosecution tells jury. 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: trial

When:

April 22, 2014 Other
May 26, 2014 Other
April 22 Other
April 18 2014 Other
Monday April 21 Incident
2025-11-03 Publication

Case subjects

Ruth Lawrence

Accused

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