Body of ‘much-loved aunt’ was found dumped in bog

The nephew of a 37-year-old woman whose body was discovered in a bog outside Athlone, Co Westmeath, four years ago has said his “much-loved” aunt was killed by a person who had placed “no value” on her life and had “no respect for the dignity of her body.”

Peter McDonagh, nephew of Marie Greene, yesterday read out a victim impact statement at the Central Criminal Court on behalf of his grandmother Winnie, his mother Theresa and all his extended family who loved and cared for Marie.

In July, retired member of the defence forces Jimmy Devaney, aged 67, of Millbrook Avenue, Monksland, Athlone was acquitted of murdering the prostitute in Co Westmeath in 2011 but found guilty of her manslaughter on February 13, 2011, by a jury at the Central Criminal Court.

Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan remanded Devaney in custody and adjourned sentencing until today.

Ms Justice Heneghan said there was a “large amount of material” she needed to consider and would sentence Devaney on November 16. Mr McDonagh said that, for his family, February 13, 2011, was the beginning of a nightmare “no family should have to live through”.

Mr McDonagh told the court how, on that evening, “our much-loved Marie”, was taken out to the bog, brutally killed, and her body thrown into a ditch.

“The person who killed her had placed no value on her life and no respect for the dignity of her body,” he said. “The family’s pain was further added to in the days before her body was recovered by the excellent work of the gardaí.”

A letter from Devaney’s daughter Sharon, mother to Brandon, who had special needs and lived to nine years of age, was also read to the court by Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha, defending.

A letter was also presented to the judge from Devaney’s wife who expressed her support for her husband.