Widower’s damages claim is struck out

An action for damages brought by the widower of murdered mother of two Sylvia Roche Kelly has been struck out by the High Court.

The body of Ms Roche Kelly, from Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, was found lying face down in the bath of a hotel in December 2007, after she met her murderer while out celebrating her 33rd birthday. She was violently beaten and strangled.

Gerard McGrath Ballywalter, Knockavilla, Co Tipperary, was later sentenced at the Central Criminal Court to life imprisonment after admitting murdering Ms Roche Kelly at The Clarion Hotel, Limerick, on December 8, 2007. McGrath was on bail at that time on a charge of assaulting a female taxi driver in April 2007.