A man has been handed a life sentence for murdering his wife in County Mayo.
James Kilroy - of Kilbree Lower, Westport - claimed he was suffering from a mental disorder when he killed Valerie French-Kilroy but his insanity defence was rejected.
On June 14th 2019 James Kilroy beat, stabbed and strangled his wife, Valerie French-Kilroy, to death.
Afterwards he left her body in a campervan at the back of their house. He was later found naked, running through some nearby fields.
At the outset of his trial, he pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity but the jury rejected his defence and last week he was convicted of her murder.
The family of Valerie French-Kilroy outside the Criminal Courts of Justice after her husband's sentencing, 29-7-24. Image: Frank Greaney/NewstalkToday, Valerie’s brother David spoke of how his beloved sister was “savagely slaughtered”. He described her death as “violent and prolonged”.
"Valerie was a wonderful person," he said.
"Her work as an occupational therapist with people in need of those services in Mayo demonstrated this and she was highly-regarded by her colleagues and clients there.
"Valerie was a great sister, she was very positive, she was highly capable and practical - she was also great fun," he added.
Kilroy was handed a life sentence.
