‘A life sentence should mean life’: Sister of murder victim Siobhán Kearney speaks out

The Deirdre O'Shaughnessy Podcast hears from Siobhán Kearney’s sister, who questions parole rules and the lasting impact of her murder

Family of murder victim Siobhán Kearney calls for tougher parole rules

Thirty-eight-year-old Siobhán Kearney was killed by her husband Brian in 2006 as she was planning to leave their marriage.

Siobhán, a chef, hotelier, and mother of one, had been planning to leave Brian Kearney and was keeping a record of his controlling and abusive behaviour on the advice of her solicitor.

Although Kearney tried to make her death look like suicide, he was convicted of her murder and has failed in his appeals. He is currently serving a life sentence in Wheatfield Prison, but has been granted two days a year to meet with his family in a neutral venue, and could be eligible for parole.

Siobhán’s sister, Deirdre McLaughlin, says a life sentence should mean life — and that her family having to describe their pain every time he applies for parole is deeply unfair.

“There's no parole... we can't go on parole and go meet my sister, Siobhan; he's taken her. She's gone. She's six feet under the ground in Redford Cemetery.”

- If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services.