‘He ceased to be human when he killed her’

BRIAN KEARNEY last night began a life sentence for the murder of his wife Siobhán with her family saying in an emotional statement he ceased to be human when he killed her.

Kearney, aged 51, was found guilty of his 38-year-old wife’s murder by a majority verdict 11 to 1 after five hours and 24 minutes of deliberation in the Central Criminal Court at Dublin.

Siobhán’s family members cried and held hands saying “Please God” when they were told the jury had reached a verdict but before the eight women and four men of the jury re-entered a packed courtroom Mr Justice Barry White reminded those jostling for space it was a tense moment for everyone and outbursts emotional or triumphant should be suppressed.