Valerie French was an Irish woman who was murdered by her husband, James Kilroy, in June 2019. [1]
Valerie French | |
|---|---|
| Died | 13 June 2019 |
| Cause of death | Stab wounds, strangulation, blunt force trauma |
| Resting place | Cathedral Church of St. Fachtna in Rosscarbery, Co. Cork |
| Known for | Murder victim |
Attack on Valerie French
editOn 13 June 2019 between 11 pm and midnight, Valerie French (41), was assaulted and killed at her house in Kilbree Lower, outside Castlebar in Co. Mayo. Her husband james kilroy was arrested and charged with her murder.[2][3]
Trials
editJames Kilroy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Following the collapse of two trials in 2023 a third trial held in July 2024 convicted James Kilroy of murder. [4]
Justice Tony Hunt said that the defence of not guilty by reason of insanity was clearly not applicable as the diagnosis of cannabis-induced psychotic disorder being used clearly came under "intoxicating influence" as mentioned in the relevant legislation.[5]
Background
editFrench, originally from Leap, County Cork, was a senior occupational therapist working in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland.[6] [7]
Valerie’s mother, Valerie French (nee Pyburn) died five months later in November 2019 as a result of a stroke which her family believe was brought on by the enormous stress and uncertainty following the murder of her daughter. Mrs French had said to her family that “my life is ruined” after the loss of her daughter and in concern about the future of her three young grandchildren. [8] [9]
James Kilroy is believed to be originally from Oldcastle, County Meath. [10] He was employed as a park ranger with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland) (NPWS) and had been working in Wild Nephin National Park. [11]
Legacy
editThe victim's brother David French has called for a change in the law to strip child guardianship from people convicted of killing partners with whom they share children.[12] The argument for a change in the law was also made in the Irish Times.[13]
Speaking outside the Criminal Courts of Justice, Dublin after the verdict French stated that "Valerie's husband killed her brutally yet he retains all his parental rights to her children. This is an absolutely ridiculous situation. Killing a mother is child abuse. Children have to be protected from abusers. Murderers in the UK have their parental rights suspended under what is called Jade's Law. This loophole needs to be closed to protect the children who are put in this hellish situation every year.".[14]
The verdict and subsequent call for law reform received very significant media coverage. [15]
Holly Cairns TD, Leader of the Social Democrats, started preparing a Bill to suspend parental rights of those convicted of domestic homicide.[16]
The situation has drawn comparisons to the Murder of Jennifer Poole by her ex-partner where her brother Jason also called for law reform. [17]
References
edit- ^ Magnier, Eileen (29 July 2024). "James Kilroy sentenced to life imprisonment for murder of wife Valerie French in 2019". [[1]]. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ Magnier, Eileen (16 June 2019). "Man, 46, charged with murder of woman in Co Mayo". [[2]]. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ McHugh, Michael (15 June 2019). "Man arrested following woman's death in Co Mayo". independent.ie. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ Magnier, Eileen (26 July 2024). "James Kilroy found guilty of murdering wife in 2019". RTÉ.ie. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ Reynolds, Eoin (26 July 2024). "Jury rejects James Kilroy's insanity claim to find him guilty of murdering his wife". [[3]]. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "Emotional tribute paid to Valerie French-Kilroy at her funeral service". RTÉ.ie. 20 June 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "Death Notice Valerie Jane Kilroy". [[4]]. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ "FEMICIDE WATCH 2019 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND" (PDF). [[5]]. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "Death Notice Valerie French". [[6]]. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ "Oldcastle man charged with murder of his wife in Mayo". [[7]]. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "Park ranger on 'mission from god to kill wife' did not have a mental disorder, court told". [[8]]. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ O'Donnell, Orla (29 July 2024). "Valerie died in terror for her life and the lives of her children, brother tells court". [[9]]. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ French, David (29 July 2024). "My sister Valerie French Kilroy was our warrior princess. Change the law to protect her children". [[10]]. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ Matthews, Jane (29 July 2024). "Families of victims to be central to review of laws to restrict parental rights of murderers". [[11]]. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "Media Coverage". [[12]]. 29 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ Cairns, Holly (29 July 2024). "Cairns preparing Bill to suspend parental rights of those convicted of domestic homicide". [[13]]. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ Hosford, Paul (29 August 2024). "Domestic violence register could have saved Jennifer Poole, Seanad hears". [[14]]. Retrieved 29 August 2024.