Trial of man accused of murdering his Cork wife adjourned until tomorrow

Chief State Pathologist, Dr Linda Mulligan, previously told the murder trial that Valerie French Kilroy (pictured) died from ligature strangulation, blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to the neck.

The trial of a man who ‘waited in the long grass’ to kill his West Cork-born wife has been adjourned until Tuesday.

James Kilroy, 49, previously admitted killing his wife, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, at their Mayo home in 2019 but he had pleaded not guilty to her murder by reason of insanity.

The trial collapsed in March at the Central Criminal Court after an “unexpected, complex matter” arose in the case.

The trial is now likely to be heard on Tuesday or Wednesday this week, depending on judge and court availability. 

Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned the case until Tuesday at 11.30am in the Central Criminal Court. The family of Ms French Kilroy attended the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin for Monday’s hearing.

The family of the much-loved mother-of-three and occupational therapist has been waiting for more than four years for justice for Ms French Kilroy, with multiple delays to court proceedings.

Mr Kilroy, a park ranger with an address at Kilbree Lower, Westport, was charged with murdering Ms French Kilroy at their home on a date between June 13, 2019 and June 14, 2019. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

A trial previously heard how Mr Kilroy “waited in the long grass” at night for his wife to return home from meeting friends before launching a “dark and frenzied” attack on his “soulmate” and “first love”.

Chief State Pathologist, Dr Linda Mulligan, previously told the murder trial that Ms French Kilroy died from ligature strangulation, blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to the neck.