Courts / Wexford / Report

Convicted robber should not have been 'blamed' for suicide of threat victim, appeal told

Summary

In a Court of Appeal hearing on 6 November 2025, the court found that a judge had erred by attributing the suicide of a man who had been threatened over a €1,000 drug debt to the actions of Kenneth Kelly, a 54‑year‑old convicted armed robber. Kelly, who had pleaded guilty to demanding money with menaces and was sentenced to six years in prison in June 2025, had been accused of a prolonged campaign of threats. Defence counsel argued that the judge over‑extended the causal link between Kelly's conduct and the victim's death, noting the victim's mental health difficulties. The appeal focused on the severity of the sentence, with counsel suggesting a seven‑year term would have been more appropriate. The court, led by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, upheld the original sentence but reserved further judgment, with a decision scheduled for 20 November 2025.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Convicted robber should not have been 'blamed' for suicide of threat victim, appeal told. Charges or matters: demanding money with menaces. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• January 31, 2024 Incident
• November 20 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2025-11-06 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Appeal

Related court reports

• Brian Grendon to face non-jury trial for directing criminal gang
• Paedophile caught with violent child abuse material fails to have sentence reduced
• Addict jailed after being caught with €330k worth of cannabis following traffic stop
• Use of mobile phone while driving led to €330,000 cannabis seizure
• 'It only took him six weeks to destroy me': criminal who beat, raped and coercively controlled partner to remain in prison after appeal rejected
• Polish man challenges garda to 'lie detector' test in alleged discrimination case

Read the original CNI report