Murderer Michael Leonard dies in hospital following cancer battle 

Michael Leonard, 63, was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to the murder of 72-year-old Mary O'Keeffe in a woodland at Donerail

Michael Leonard

A man who was sentenced to life in prison after murdering a Cork woman by setting fire to his car while she was inside it has died.

Michael Leonard, 63, from Limerick, was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to the murder of 72-year-old Mary O'Keeffe in a woodland at Doneraile, Co Cork on February 4, 2021. 

The court heard that the man had arranged to meet Ms O'Keefe at the wooded area, but within minutes of her arrival, he threw two gallons of petrol into the car and set it on fire. 

An autopsy showed that she was still alive when the fire started. 

It is understood Leonard died at the Mercy University Hospital following a long battle with cancer. 

On Wednesday, the Irish Prison Service confirmed that there was a death of a person in the custody of Cork Prison on Tuesday, February 27. 

"The next of kin have been notified," the spokesperson said. 

"All deaths in custody are investigated by the Irish Prison Service, the Inspector of Prisons and An Garda Síochána, where circumstances warrant. The cause of death is determined by the Coroner's Office," the spokesperson added.