Man jailed for ‘negligent’ killing of wife with shotgun loses appeal

A man found guilty of shooting his wife dead in an act of gross negligence has lost an appeal against his conviction and sentence.

Oliver Kierans (60), of Drumbannon, Bailieborough, Co Cavan, had pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to murdering Patricia Kierans (54) at his home address on September 5th, 2013.

He was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by a majority jury verdict. He was also found guilty of possessing a double barrel sawn-off shotgun and possessing the weapon with intent to endanger life.

Ms Kierans died from a shotgun wound to the chest after being shot at a range of about 4ft in the close confines of a bedroom in their home.

Kierans contended that he had picked up the firearm with the intention of taking his own life but the shotgun discharged in the direction of his wife.

‘Siege’

After the shooting, Kierans went to The Square bar in Bailieborough where a “siege” took place.

Garda Thomas Fay, who had known Kierans for almost 30 years, went into the bar to talk to him. However, CCTV footage from inside the pub showed Kierans pointing the shotgun at the garda.

Kierans pulled the trigger, but the gun did not go off. CCTV showed him looking at the gun quizzically afterwards. The situation came to an end when Kierans eventually left the pub with Garda Fay.

He was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for his wife’s manslaughter, eight years for possession of the shotgun and 12 years for pointing the gun at Garda Fay by Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly on April 20th, 2015. All sentences were to run concurrently.

Upholding his conviction and sentence on Friday, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said Kierans had picked up the shotgun to show his wife he would kill himself. However, the gun discharged due to “unexpected movement”.

Circumstances

Mr Justice McCarthy said the trial judge correctly instructed the jury with regards to intent and the particular circumstances of the case.

In relation to sentence, Kierans’ barrister, Paul Greene SC, submitted that the Central Criminal Court judge ought to have afforded more credit for Kierans’ personal circumstances. However, Mr Justice McCarthy said the judge expressly took account of Kierans’ family situation and his previous good character.

He said the aggravating factors were significant. Kierans’ reloaded the shotgun after the homicide and went to a public place.

He said Ireland had the “privilege of having an unarmed police force” and Kierans put Garda Fay “in fear of his life”.

Mr Justice McCarthy, who sat with President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, said the sentences were within range and the appeal was accordingly dismissed.