Courts

Trial of woman charged with 2014 murders of two ‘inseparable friends’ not ready to proceed, Central Criminal Court told

Ruth Lawrence (42), originally from Clontarf, is accused of the murder of Anthony Keegan (33) and Eoin O’Connor (32), whose bodies were found in plastic sheeting on Inchicup Island

Ruth Lawrence (42) is accused of the murder of Anthony Keegan (33) and Eoin O’Connor (32). Photograph: Collins Courts
Ruth Lawrence (42) is accused of the murder of Anthony Keegan (33) and Eoin O’Connor (32). Photograph: Collins Courts
Eoin Reynolds
Tue Oct 29 2024 - 14:24

The trial of a Dublin woman who is accused of murdering two “inseparable friends” is not ready to proceed more than 10 years on from the date of the alleged offence, and over a year after a date for her trial was set.

Ruth Lawrence (42), who is originally from Clontarf, is accused of the murder of Anthony Keegan (33) and Eoin O’Connor (32), who were found in plastic sheeting on Inchicup Island on Lough Sheelin near the Meath-Cavan border on May 26th, 2014.

On October 24th last year, Mr Justice David Keane scheduled a trial date of October 7th after being told the matter is expected to last three weeks.

However, on October 7th last the State said Ms Lawrence’s lawyers had not yet received full disclosure.

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At the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday morning, Michael O’Higgins SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions told Ms Justice Karen O’Connor that disclosure has still not been completed.

James Dwyer SC, for Ms Lawrence, said there are “a number of matters outstanding” and he therefore does not know when the trial will be ready to go ahead.

Ms Justice O’Connor adjourned the matter for mention to November 21st.

In May 2023, Ms Lawrence was charged with two counts of murder on an unknown date between April 22nd and May 26th, 2014, when gardaí were alerted to the discovery of the men’s bodies. The bodies were found after a fisherman on the lake identified a smell coming from the tiny island.

At their June 2014 funeral, mourners were told that the two deceased men had been “inseparable” friends.