The murder trial of James Kilroy, who admits to killing his wife Valerie at their rural home in Co Mayo, has been postponed until Monday because it “hit an unforeseen bump in the road”.
ark ranger Mr Kilroy (49), with an address in Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo is charged with the murder of the mother of three children Valerie French Kilroy (41) at their home on an unknown date between 13 June 2019 and 14 June 2019, both dates inclusive. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
After the trial was adjourned for an hour this morning, Supreme Court Justice Mary Ellen Ring told the jury of ten men and two women that a case had arisen that was unknown to all parties. “No one is at fault, it’s not something that could have been foreseen or addressed. It has resulted in both sides needing more time,” she said.
She added: “As you’ve seen, trials involve real people in real time, unlike what you see on TV”.
Ms Justice Ring said the case would not be resolved today and rather than bring the jury back tomorrow “in the hope that the cases are resolved”, she asked them to return to court on Monday afternoon. “That gives all parties time to resolve the issues,” she continued.
The judge said the trial had “hit an unforeseen bump in the road”. “We are still a long way from the end of the case. I wish you the best during the long weekend,” she concluded.
The Chief State Pathologist told the murder trial that occupational therapist Ms. French Kilroy died of strangulation from a ligature, blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to the neck.
Evidence has been produced that Gardai found Valerie’s body in a fetal position on the floor of a motor home with her bloodied hand outside the sliding door and a child car seat over her face.
Patrick Gageby SC, defending Mr Kilroy, has made a number of formal confessions to the court on behalf of his client, including that he killed his wife Valerie.
The jury learned that the defendant described to Gardai how he waited “in the tall grass” at night for his wife to come home from a meeting with friends before silently carrying out a “dark and frenzied” attack.
The trial continues on Monday.
