Boyfriend convicted of Kirsty Ward murder shot jail video bragging he would be cleared
'The newspapers will all eat their words'
The former soldier convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend Kirsty Ward previously recorded a video from his Spanish prison bragging that he would be 'cleared'.
Keith Byrne was found guilty of killing Kirsty Ward on Wednesday after jurors spent three days deliberating.
The 34-year-old went on trial in Spain, where he fatally strangled the mother-of-one in July 2023 after she told him she was ending their relationship.
However while he was awaiting trial in a low-security jail, Byrne recorded a video which he then sent to friends and family.
Keith Byrne
Ex-soldier Keith Byrne convicted of Kirsty Ward's murder shot prison video bragging he would be cleared.
Despite brutally murdering mum-of-one Kirsty, Byrne continued to make cruel claims that Kirsty had died by suicide.
Byrne's sick claims were completely rejected by the jury and he is now facing decades behind bars for savagely strangling the innocent mum-of-one.
In a video recorded behind bars just days after his arrest, Byrne said 'the truth will come out.'
Addressing a number of family members and friends directly, He said: 'Obviously you know that I didn't do it because (inaudible) found the girl dead.
'The truth will come out', he said before claiming that Ms Ward was dead for hours before he found her.
'And then the newspapers will all eat their words but listen I love you all very much and just keep this video because everyone will watch it. I love you right, with all my heart,' he continued, blowing a kiss and adding 'see ye all soon.'
Byrne will not be seeing anyone in Ireland soon and will be sentenced later this month.
In court, Mr Goimil, a domestic violence specialist, rubbished Byrne's court claim Kirsty took her own life during his closing speech to the jury last Wednesday on the final day of the murder trial.
Keith Byrne and Kirsty Ward
He claimed the former soldier, who had been living in Duleek, Co Meath, decided: 'You're mine or you're nobody's' and strangled his girlfriend to death because she wanted out of their stormy relationship.
Earlier in the video, Byrne had said he was enjoying his time in prison.
'I'm okay, safe, going to school, f**king learning Spanish, going to the gym, swimming, playing football A1, f**king A1.
'I'm in a low security unit, there is no violence here, nothing like that, it is not allowed or else you get f**ked out,' he continued.
'All the prisoners are on the suss, they don't let anyone act the b**lox because it f*cks them all up so it is A1 so I wouldn't worry about anything like that.'
Keith Byrne from Kilbarrack, Dublin, killed the 36-year-old while they were on holiday in Salou on July 2nd 2023.
Following his conviction, he is facing up to 30 years behind bars, but will have to wait up to a month to find out his fate.
In court, Kirsty's mum Jackie Ward described Byrne as someone she 'didn't like' and 'didn't trust' on day one of the trial on April 23 and said she had found out after her daughter's death she had planned to leave him during their 'make or break' holiday.
She was asked as she gave evidence whether she thought her daughter, whose son Evan was 14 when she died, could have committed suicide but replied angrily: 'She did everything for her son. She would never ever leave him. She would never do that to him.'
Jurors started deliberating on Monday after the May 1 Bank Holiday.
Byrne's defence lawyer Jordi Cabre had been seeking his client's acquittal before the jury verdict and afterwards asked the judge to hand down the "minimum sentence".
Jackie Ward described her daughter after her death as a 'fantastic friend' to her parents and 'an absolutely adored daughter.'
Meanwhile, Kirsty's family are also pursuing a civil case against the killer, which is permitted as part of the Spanish legal system, unlike in Ireland.
Her family have set up a GoFundMe to help pay for the case.
'Those of you who knew Kirsty will remember hearing the sad news of her passing in tragic circumstances (domestic violence) on the 2nd July 2023 while away on holidays in Spain,' the GoFundMe reads.
'Kirsty was an amazing beautiful young woman and a mother who had her whole life to look forward to and is sadly missed by her loving son, parents, brother, sister, grandparents and friends.
Kirsty Ward
'In Spain the family of the victim are allowed to take a case against the accused at the same time as the state is prosecuting the accused.
'Because of the circumstances of Kirsty's passing and how the legal system works in Spain, the family was strongly advised to take a private legal action alongside the public case,' the fundraiser continues.
'Taking a case like this in another country is not an easy undertaking and involves employing local solicitors, translators, flights, accommodation and so many other additional expenses.
'While suffering the loss of their daughter and now caring for their grandchild, the family have decided to act and pursue the legal case as advised to seek justice for Kirsty.
'The provisional estimate for fighting a case like this will be well in excess of €60,000 which is emotionally and financially draining.
'All monies raised here will be used to reduce the legal end of this burden.'
The page has so far raised a whopping €32,493.
Keith Byrne
News in 90 seconds - 8th May 2025
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