Three-week trial of man accused of murdering his Cork wife to begin tomorrow

Valerie French Kilroy (pictured) was allegedly murdered at her home in Westport, Co. Mayo, on a date between June 13, 2019 and June 14, 2019.

The trial of a man charged with murdering his West Cork-born wife is to begin on Wednesday and is expected to take up to three weeks.

James Kilroy, 49, was arraigned in the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday, charged with murdering Valerie French Kilroy at their home at Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co. Mayo, on a date between June 13, 2019 and June 14, 2019.

Mr Kilroy, who appeared in court, pleaded not guilty to murder by reason of insanity.

A jury of seven women and five men were empanelled by Justice Caroline Biggs.

The trial is to begin on Wednesday in front of Justice Paul McDermott in Court 19 at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin at 11am.

Barrister Patrick Gageby is Senior Counsel for the defence and barrister Dean Kelly is Senior Counsel for the prosecution.

The family of Ms French Kilroy, who was 41 at the time of her death, attended the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin for Tuesday’s hearing.

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