A Dublin man has been sentenced at the Central Criminal Court to life imprisonment for murder. Richard Kearney (20), who was 17 at the time of the offence, of Finglas Place, Finglas, had denied that between November 23rd and 25th 1998, he murdered Mary Dillon (72), Beneavin Road, Finglas, Dublin, at her home.
He was also found guilty of trespassing at Ms Dillon's home on March 17th, 1998, while attempting to steal her car and on November 23rd, 1998, intending to steal a car radio. He was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment backdated to the date of his incarceration for the two lesser charges.
Previously the court heard that Ms Dillon, a widow, had last been seen alive by a friend on November 23rd, 1998. Two days later, another friend grew concerned after knocking repeatedly at her door and getting no reply. The friend went to Finglas Garda station. When gardai arrived at Ms Dillon's home, she was found partially naked in her garage, having been severely beaten.
Deputy State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy had told the court that Ms Dillon had suffered extensive injuries to her torso and head including fractures to the skull and left facial bones. She had also suffered a dislocated shoulder.
Forensic evidence of bloodstains matching Kearney's was found on a rake and on Ms Dillon's clothing. A thumb print in her blood was found on her car which matched Kearney's thumb print and her blood also matched a sample found on his running shoe.