The murder trial of James Kilroy, who admitted killing his wife Valerie at their rural home in County Mayo, has been adjourned until Monday after it has “unforeseeably come to a bump in the road”, reports The Mirror.
Park ranger Mr Kilroy, 49, with an address in Kilbury Lower, Westport, Co Mayo, is accused of murdering the mother of Valerie French Kilroy, 41, at his home on an undisclosed date between June 13, 2019 and June 14, 2019, both dates included. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
After an hour-long delay in the trial this morning, High Court Judge Mary Ellen Ring told the jury of ten men and two women that an issue unknown to all parties had arisen.
She added, “No one is at fault, it is not something that could have been foreseen or dealt with. It has led to both parties needing further time. As you have seen, trials involve real people in real time unlike what you watch on TV”, reports The Mirror.
Ms Justice Ring said the case would not be resolved today (Wednesday) and asked them to return to court on Monday afternoon “in the hope that matters are resolved,” reports The Mirror.
The judge said the trial “unforeseeably come to a bump in the road”. “We are a long way from the end of the case. I wish you well over the long weekend,” she concluded, reports The Mirror.
Evidence is provided that Gardai found Valerie’s body lying in a fetal position on the floor of a motorhome, with her bloodied hand clutching the sliding door and her face against the car seat.
Patrick Gageby SC, defending Mr Kilroy, made several formal admissions in court on behalf of his client, including that he murdered his wife Valerie.
The jury heard the defendant tell Gardai how he had “waited in the long grass” at night for his wife to come home quietly to meet up with friends before having “dark and frenzied” attack, reports The Mirror.
The hearing continues on Monday.
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