Olesja Hertova jailed for two years and nine months for husband’s manslaughter

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

Olesja Hertova was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on July 4, 2025, for the manslaughter of her husband, James Ryan. The sentence was backdated to August 27, 2024, when she entered custody.

Hertova pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully killing Ryan at Hastings Lawn, Balbriggan, on August 11, 2024. Judge Martin Nolan said she had lost her temper and pushed Ryan forcefully, but he did not believe she intended to kill him.

The court heard that Hertova followed Ryan outside after an argument and told him not to drive. During a garda interview, she said she had been trying to pull him away from the car so he would not drive, and expressed remorse.

The judge cited Hertova’s guilty plea, cooperation with gardaí, lack of previous convictions and low likelihood of reoffending as mitigating factors.