Trial(s)

Valerie French Kilroy was killed on June 13/14, 2019 at her home near Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
Her husband james kilroy was charged with her murder: (CCDP0125/2019 DPP v james kilroy).
The criminal trial date was set for March 22, 2021.

On July 20, 2020 the inquest into Valerie's death was opened at the Coroner's Court in Castlebar and adjourned pending the completion of the criminal trial.

In March 2021 the trial was pushed back two weeks until April 6th, 2021.
On April 6th the Court decided the case was to be listed on June 10th, 2021 for a possible trial date in September 2021.
On June 10th the trial was set for October 11th, 2021.
On that date the case was put back for mention on December 13, 2021 and on that date put back to January 18th, 2022.

On January 18th, 2022 the case was put back for mention on April 5th ( Valerie's wedding anniversary) followed by May 13, then June 16th 2022 (3 years after the crime), then July 26th (3 days after what would have been Valerie's 45th birthday). 

On July 26th, 2022 the trial date was set for December 12, 2022 with case management on November 11th and then for further mention on November 25
On November 21st the December 12th trial slot was vacated and the case was put back for mention on November 30th.
On November 30th, 2022 the case was given a trial date of March 6th, 2023 with case management set for January 13th, 2023.

On January 13th, 2023 an additional case management date of January 27th was set and on that date the March trial date was reconfirmed.
On March 6th, 2023 the trial went ahead but was halted on March 20th due to a complex legal matter.
The case was then put on the List to Fix Dates on March 27th when it was given a new trial date of November 6th 2023 with case management on June 30th.
On June 29th the case was adjourned for a pre-trial hearing on July 14th which was then held on July 27th.

The trial started for the second time on November 6th as planned but collapsed (for the second time) on November 20th.
The case was put back for mention in the List to Fix Dates on November 28th.
On November 28th the case received a new trial date of May 29th, 2024 with case management to be held on February 9th.

On February 9th, 2024 the case was put back for mention on February 28th and on that date the case was put back for mention on March 13th..

On March 13th the case was put back for mention on April 19th on which date it was put back for mention on April 26th and on that date it was put back to May 10th and on that date it was put back to May 16th.
On May 14th the case was put for mention on May 15th when a new trial date of July 1st, 2024 was set.
For operational reasons this was then moved to July 8th, 2024. 

The trial commenced (for the third time) on July 10th, 2024 and completed on July 26th when the jury returned a unanimous verdict of guilty after less than three hours of deliberation.

Sentencing took place on July 29th, 2024 where kilroy received the mandatory life sentence.