12 years behind bars for killing wife

A Cavan father-of-four who killed his wife of 33 years at their home has been jailed for 12 years.

Oliver Kierans, aged 57, of Drumbannon, Bailieborough in Cavan had pleaded not guilty to murdering Patricia Kierans, aged 54, on September 5, 2013, at the same address.

A majority verdict of not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter was reached after more than 15 hours of deliberations.

He was found guilty of the possession of a 12-gauge, double-barrel shotgun and guilty of possession with intent to endanger life last February.

The court heard that Ms Kierans was shot with a shotgun at quite close range, sustaining a very serious wound to her chest from which she died.

The two-and-a-half week trial heard the victimhad moved out of the family home in June 2013.

The jury was told that this did not sit well with the accused who had recently began drinking again after abstaining for the summer.

The Central Criminal Court heard that out of the Kierans four children, three have moved to Australia along with six of their 10 grandchildren.

In his testimony on February 19, Kierans described a “fixation” his wife had that he was having an affair.

Professor Marie Cassidy, the state pathologist, gave evidence that the cause of death was a shotgun injury to the chest.

The pathologist concluded that the cause of death was a shotgun injury to the chest which could have been shot from a distance of 1.2m or 4ft and that the injuries were of such severity that death would have been almost immediate.

Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly said it is “tragic” that Mr Kierans caused the death of Ms Kierans.

“This tragedy was brought about by the criminal act of the defendant.

“I agree with the jury that the correct interpretation is manslaughter through gross negligence,” the judge continued.

Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly sentenced Kierans to nine years for manslaughter, eight years for unlawful possession of a firearm, and 12 years for possession with intent to endanger life to run concurrently.

Speaking outside court, solicitor Cahir O’Higgins said the outcome was not a happy one for the Kierans family. “On behalf of the family, I would like to say that while they are pleased he was acquitted of the murder charge, this isn’t a happy outcome,” he said.