When a mother is murdered, how can the killer remain her children's guardian?
In June 2019 she was murdered by her husband James Kilroy. She was 41. That he killed her was never in doubt – he admitted it – but the defence put forward at his trial in 2024 was that he was insane when he beat, stabbed and strangled his wife to death.
That defence was rejected by the jury and he was
convicted
of her murder.
For her siblings, including her brother David, he had committed child harm in that he had robbed three children of their mother. Such a crime they felt would surely mean he would no longer be the children's legal guardian. They soon learned that legally that is not the case.
READ MORE
From his prison cell Kilroy is still in the children's lives as their legal guardian, making decisions to do with their welfare, from medical treatments to travel outside the country.
David French is now fighting for changes to the legislation around guardianship that would ensure that in cases where a partner has deprived children of their parent, guardianship would be denied.
Called 'Valerie's law' it is, says French, a simple change in the legislation that would be of enormous benefit to the children in such horrendous cases; he says an average of seven children a year are impacted. It would also give more certainty to bereaved families as they navigate the path ahead.
French has written a
book
, For Valerie, and he explains to In the News why that was important to him and why he is fighting to make Valerie's law a reality.
Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
35 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Wexford operator of ‘dodgy box' service narrowly misses jail for criminal contempt
The operator of a 'dodgy box' streaming service came 'very close indeed' to being jailed for criminal contempt after he defied a court order and destroyed evidence of his illegal operation, a judge in the High Court has said. David Dunbar, of Manor Crescent, Roxborough, Co Wexford, was instead fined €30,000 by Mr Justice Mark Sanfey, who said he had to take into account that Mr Dunbar already owes Sky UK Ltd more than €500,000 arising from the case it took against him. Since the broadcaster and telecommunications corporation took the civil case for breach of copyright, Mr Dunbar has, according to his own evidence, been the victim of credible threats and is in danger of losing his job. He may be facing criminal prosecution and inquiries by the Revenue service, the judge noted. The case against Mr Dunbar arose from a simple tip-off, Mr Justice Sanfey said. People running or contemplating providing similar illegal operations should consider the 'calamitous consequences' that can come with exposure. READ MORE Sky was awarded damages of €480,000 and legal costs, expected to be in the region of €100,000, against Mr Dunbar. It also brought an application for his committal to prison for contempt after he failed to hand over material as ordered by the court. Mr Justice Sanfey, in a reserved judgment on the criminal contempt application, said he wanted to make it 'very clear' that the decision to impose a fine on Mr Dunbar did not mean future defendants who found themselves in similar positions would also avoid committal. In an affidavit, Sky expressed scepticism about the extent to which Mr Dunbar made full disclosure regarding his income from the internet protocol television service, IPTV is Easy, which he provided to customers and about 15 resellers, and which he in turn was provided with by My Boom Media (MBM). Mr Dunbar told the court he estimated he made approximately €480,000 in profit from the illegal operation between 2018 and 2024. However, Sky, in a replying affidavit, noted multiple five-figure transfers in accounts of Mr Dunbar's that he had not explained. It also pointed to a Reddit post in February 2025 where Mr Dunbar said he had 'about 50ish k put away for college' for his children. Sky drew attention to its investigation of Mr Dunbar's betting accounts, which included 180,865 bets on his Bet365 account between August 2022 and May 2025, where the total stakes placed were €1,114,125 and the returns were €1,143,952. Mr Dunbar also had an account with Boylesports and may also have had a Ladbrokes account, it said. When the case came before the judge, Mr Dunbar was not in court but was watching the case online. Mr Justice Sanfey delayed the case until the afternoon, so the defendant could be in court. Mr Dunbar informed the court he would have to catch a bus from Wexford, as he did not have a car. In his affidavits to the court, Mr Dunbar said he bought a 2022 black Hyundai Santa Fe in February for €45,421 but sold it 'at a considerable loss' in June to pay for legal representation in the case Sky took against him. Soon after the case was initiated, the app used for his illegal streaming operation was no longer operational and an associated Telegram group disappeared, the court was told. When representatives of Sky came to Mr Dunbar's home he refused to let them in and deleted all the information on his desktop computer's hard drive, Mr Dunbar said in an affidavit. He also contacted MBM and was immediately blocked from all contact with the service.
Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
Derry man handed suspended sentence for ‘rare case of furious driving' on a bicycle
A Derry man who left a pedestrian with a fractured skull when he crashed his bicycle into her was handed a six-month suspended prison sentence on Wednesday. Sentencing Shane Coyle (26) at Bishop Street Crown Court, Judge Neill Rafferty said that, despite a legal career spanning more than three decades, 'this is the first time I have encountered the offence of furious driving'. Although his prison sentence is suspended for two years, Coyle, from Kingsmere Gardens in Derry, remains on remand in custody facing drugs charges. He was due to have been sentenced on Tuesday but instead, he was charged with being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug and possessing criminal property. READ MORE On Wednesday Coyle appeared before the court via video link from HM Prison Maghaberry. Judge Rafferty said Coyle was charged with 'having the charge of a bicycle caused by wilful misconduct bodily harm to be done to' a woman on the Belt Road, Derry, on August 14th, 2023. The court heard the woman was walking her dog on the footpath when Coyle's bicycle careened into her from behind. 'She was sent to the ground with great force' and sustained serious injuries, including a blood clot on her brain and a fractured skull, said Judge Rafferty, adding that she had to undergo surgery. The victim was rendered unconscious but a passing motorist who saw the collision stopped and gave first aid. While Coyle held the woman's dog and his friend called for an ambulance, the motorist moved the woman into the recovery position as she was bleeding from her ear, into her mouth. Coyle was interviewed about the incident and 'admitted colliding with her', the judge said. He entered a guilty plea at the first opportunity. The judge said the case was rare but equivalent to a case of careless driving. Over and above the offending itself, the judge said, he could not identify any aggravating factors, In mitigation, Coyle admitted his guilt, remained at the scene and has shown remorse and insight about the consequences. Taking all of the circumstances into account, Judge Rafferty said the case warranted a six-month sentence suspended for two years.
Irish Times
5 hours ago
- Irish Times
Terrorism case against Kneecap's Mo Chara adjourned by court in London
The case against Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara , for allegedly supporting a proscribed terror organisation has been adjourned until next month. Ó hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hizbullah at a gig in London on November 21st last year. Hundreds of supporters greeted the Belfast rapper with cheers as he made his way from a silver people-carrier into Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. The 27-year-old, who arrived at court alongside fellow bandmates Naoise Ó Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, was swamped by photographers outside, with security officers taking more than a minute to usher him into the court building. READ MORE Ó Dochartaigh aka DJ Próvaí and Ó Cairealláin, who performs as Móglaí Bap, sat at the back of the courtroom as Ó hAnnaidh confirmed his name, date of birth and address at the start of the hearing. He is accused of holding up a Hizbullah flag on stage while saying 'Up Hamas, up Hizbullah'. Kneecap have previously said the flag was thrown on stage during their performance. He was charged in May under the Terrorism Act, under which it is a criminal offence to display an article in a way which arouses reasonable suspicion that someone is a supporter of a proscribed organisation. Ó hAnnaidh's defence team are seeking to throw the case out, citing a technical error in the way the charge against him was brought. Defence counsel Brenda Campbell KC told the court the Attorney General had not given permission for the case to be brought against the defendant when police informed him he was to face a terror charge on May 21st. However, prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said permission was not required until the defendant's first court appearance. Judge Paul Goldspring adjourned the case to September 26th when he will give his decision on whether he has jurisdiction to hear the case. Ó hAnnaidh, who has yet to enter a plea, was released on unconditional bail until his next court appearance. Supporters of Kneecap's Liam Og O hAnnaidh, spill onto the road outside Westminster Magistrates' Court, London, where he is appearing charged with a terrorism offence. The 27-year-old, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged with a terrorism offence relating to displaying a flag in support of Hizbullah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, last November. Photograph: Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images) Ahead of his arrival in court, fans held signs which read 'Free Mo Chara' while others waved Palestine and Irish flags. Chants of 'free, free, Mo Chara' could also be heard over a megaphone which was repeated by the crowd. The Metropolitan Police had imposed conditions limiting where the demonstration outside the court could take place, saying they were needed to 'prevent serious disruption'. Supporters of Kneecap's Liam Og O hAnnaidh outside Westminster Magistrates' Court, London, where he is charged with a terrorism offence. Photograph: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire In a statement issued on Tuesday night, the Met Police said: 'We've imposed Public Order Act conditions to prevent serious disruption being caused by a protest outside Westminster Magistrates' Court tomorrow.' In response the rap group described this move as a 'calculated political decision' that was 'designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome' and 'asked supporters to go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful'. [ Kneecap trial spotlights challenges for Irish speakers in British and Irish courts Opens in new window ] Ó hAnnaidh received a rapturous welcome when he appeared at the same court in June. He was greeted by a festival-like atmosphere for his first court appearance, with dozens of fans waving flags, playing drums and one supporter setting off a smoke canister. The court previously heard the defendant is 'well within his rights' to voice his opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict, but the alleged incident at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, was a 'wholly different thing'. - Additional reporting: PA
