Man convicted for murdering his wife Valerie French gets legal aid to appeal conviction

During the 51-year-old’s third and final trial, psychiatrists had disagreed as to whether cannabis-induced psychosis is a mental disorder that can be used as a defence

James Kilroy (pictured) was unanimously convicted of murdering Valerie French Kilroy at their home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo, between June 13 and June 14, 2019, following three Central Criminal Court trials.

James Kilroy, who was jailed for life last summer after a jury rejected his claim that he was insane when he beat, stabbed and strangled his wife to death, has been granted legal aid to appeal his conviction.

Kilroy was unanimously convicted of murdering Valerie French Kilroy at their home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo, between June 13 and June 14, 2019, following three Central Criminal Court trials.