Nigel Canavan sentenced to life for murdering his mother in Sligo

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Nigel Canavan was sentenced to life in prison for murdering his mother, Angela, at her home in Sligo. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo imposed the mandatory life sentence at the Central Criminal Court on 3 June, after a jury convicted Canavan of murder the previous month.

The jury rejected Canavan’s claims that he had acted in self-defence and that provocation could reduce the offence to manslaughter. The court heard that Angela Canavan had been strangled and smothered, and had also suffered a head laceration, three broken ribs and bruising.

At the sentencing hearing, Angela’s son Keith gave a victim impact statement describing her as caring and devoted. The judge said she was well loved and accomplished.