Courts / Galway / Report

Limerick man whose murder conviction was quashed to be sentenced for manslaughter

Date
2016-07-18
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Craughwell
County
Galway

Summary

In July 2016, a 49‑year‑old Limerick man, Kieran Lynch, who had spent 11 years in prison after a murder conviction was quashed, was set to be sentenced for manslaughter. Lynch had originally been convicted of murdering his partner, Catherine McEnery, in 2005 and sentenced to life in 2007. He appealed in 2013, arguing issues with the jury charge on provocation and the introduction of new evidence. The Court of Criminal Appeal quashed the conviction, citing his near‑drowning experience and high‑dose benzodiazepine medication. In May 2016, Lynch pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, and the State accepted his plea. He was before Justice Patrick McCarthy for sentencing, with the court hearing testimony about his intoxication, the assault, and the impact on McEnery's family. The sentence was to be announced on 28 July 2016.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Limerick man whose murder conviction was quashed to be sentenced for manslaughter. Charges or matters: murdering the mother of his son at their home, 'Rose Cottage', in Craughwell, Co Galway on July 17 2005; murder but guilty to manslaughter. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty

When:

Case subjects

Kieran Lynch

Background Person

Charges: murdering the mother of his son at their home, 'Rose Cottage', in Craughwell, Co Galway on July 17 2005; murder but guilty to manslaughter (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; Kieran Lynch was sentenced to life in prison in March 2007, after a Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty of the murder of 36-year-old Catherine McEnery.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
Residence

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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