Ruth Lawrence Convicted in 2014 Double Murder Case

The conviction of Ruth Lawrence marks a significant moment in a long-standing murder case involving two Dublin men. In 2014, the bodies of Eoin O’Connor and Anthony Keegan were discovered bound and buried on an island in Lough Sheelin, a remote area in the midlands of Ireland. Eleven years later, Lawrence has been found guilty of their murders.

Details of the Conviction

A Central Criminal Court jury reached a majority verdict of 11-1, confirming that Lawrence, 46, acted in concert with her boyfriend, Neville van der Westhuizen, in the murder of O’Connor. The prosecution presented evidence showing that O’Connor, a 32-year-old drug dealer, was lured to their home before being shot. Additionally, the jury determined by a majority of 10-2 that van der Westhuizen also shot Keegan, aged 33. Both defendants were deemed equally responsible for these crimes.

Financial Motive for the Murders

• O’Connor was owed approximately €70,000 by van der Westhuizen, creating a potential motive for the attack.
• Lawrence had inquired about taking a boat on Lough Sheelin just before the murders, which raised suspicions.

Key testimony included a witness account alleging an admission by Lawrence regarding the shooting of O’Connor. This statement was supported by expert pathology evidence presented during the trial.

Lawrence’s Background and Flight

Ruth Lawrence, originally from Clontarf in Dublin, had been living in South Africa after the murders. She reportedly fled out of fear of becoming a victim of human trafficking and spent time in women’s refuges. Lawrence was extradited back to Ireland in May 2023 to face trial, having previously not participated in police interviews.

Van der Westhuizen’s Status

Neville van der Westhuizen is currently serving a 15-year sentence for separate offenses, including murder and kidnapping, in South Africa. Following the completion of his sentence, extradition proceedings will be initiated for him to face charges alongside Lawrence in Ireland.

Charges and Verdicts

Lawrence faced serious charges, including the murders of Keegan and O’Connor, which occurred between April 22 and May 26, 2014. While she pleaded not guilty, the prosecution outlined three possible verdicts for the jury to consider:

• Guilty of Murder
• Not Guilty of Murder but Guilty of Assisting an Offender
• Not Guilty

The jury was informed that the latter option was largely theoretical. The legal proceedings in this case are expected to continue as the implications of the verdict unfold.