‘We lost mother in tragedy — now we’re losing Dad’

A Cavan man who was found not guilty of murder but guilty of the manslaughter of his wife is due to be sentenced on April 20.

Oliver Kierans, aged 57, of Drumbannon, Bailieborough, Cavan had pleaded not guilty to murdering Patricia Kierans, aged 54, on September 5, 2013, at the same address. He was also found guilty of the possession of a 12-gauge double-barrel shotgun and guilty of possession with intent to endanger life.

In a victim impact statement read by Anthony Sammon, defending, Ms Kierans was described by her children as “one of a kind”.

“Mammy was a one of a kind mother. She dedicated life to look after granny and grandad and her brother,” read Mr Sammon.

“She had a special love for Irish dancing — our house was a happy house. Every Sunday Mammy would bring us to Mass — we have sadly lost our mother in this tragedy and are losing our father now.”

“In tragic circumstances there are no winners, just a lot of hurt people,” he said.

Mr Sammon also read from a victim impact statement by the brother and sisters of Ms Kierans.

“We all know Pat was a wonderful mother, sister, aunt. When we heard this terrible news, it put us into a terrible hole,” he read.

Letters were read to the court from all four of the Kierans children as well as Oliver’s sister, Magella.

Oliver Kierans Jr wrote: ‘I would like to point out that Dad would never in a million years have hit my Mam. I understand Dad has to do his time in prison. If he dies in prison I don’t know what I will do — it will tear me apart even further.

‘I know mother wouldn’t want to see the grandchildren suffer — my Dad is a good man who loves Mam. This will affect us all for the rest of our lives — we need contact with him and to have him in our lives and hope there are many more moments we can have with my father.”