Man charged with widow’s 1987 murder

A man aged 52 has been charged with the murder of a widow, 79, whose body was found in a burning house more than 28 years ago.

John Joseph Malone of 46 Newpark, Kilkenny City, was brought before a special sitting of Kilkenny District Court yesterday morning, charged with murdering Ann Nancy Smyth at 42A Wolfe Tone St, Kilkenny, on September 11, 1987.

The case was the subject of review by the Garda cold case team and then by gardaí in Kilkenny and Mr Malone was arrested on Thursday in Newpark, Kilkenny.