Courts / Galway / Report
Limerick man whose murder conviction was overturned pleads guilty to killing partner
Summary
In 2007, Kieran Lynch, aged 49, was convicted of murdering his partner Catherine McEnery and sentenced to life imprisonment by Mr Justice Paul Carney. Lynch had previously pleaded not guilty at a Galway Central Criminal Court hearing in July 2005. The couple had lived together for ten years and moved into Rose Cottage in Craughwell in June 2005; Ms McEnery was found dead in a bedroom on 17 July 2005. Lynch appealed in December 2013, arguing that the trial judge misdirected the jury on provocation and that fresh evidence of a near‑drowning experience and high‑dose medication should be considered. In July 2015, Mr Justice Donal O'Donnell quashed the murder conviction, citing misdirection on provocation. A retrial was ordered. On the day of the retrial, Lynch was arraigned, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, and was remanded in custody. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy directed that a probation report be prepared for sentencing on 18 July.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Limerick man whose murder conviction was overturned pleads guilty to killing partner. Charges or matters: the murder in Craughwell, Co Galway in July 2005; murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Ms McEnery. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 2007 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2005 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 2005 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 17 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 18 Adjournment
- 2016-05-09 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: the murder in Craughwell, Co Galway in July 2005; murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Ms McEnery (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Kieran Lynch (49) was sentenced to life in prison by Mr Justice Paul Carney having been found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury of the murder of his partner Catherine McEnery. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy directed a probation report for when Lynch will be sentenced on July 18.; This plea was accepted by the DPP and Lynch was remanded in custody on the same conditions.
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