Ruth Lawrence Murder Trial: Jury Enters Fifth Day of Deliberations
A Dublin woman, Ruth Lawrence, was convicted of the murders of two men whose remains were discovered in 2014. The verdict came eleven years after Eoin O’Connor, 32, and Anthony Keegan, 33, were found bound and buried on an island in Lough Sheelin, located in Ireland’s midlands.
Details of the Trial
The Central Criminal Court jury delivered a majority verdict of 11 to 1, concluding that Lawrence collaborated with her boyfriend, Neville van der Westhuizen, in these crimes. The prosecution argued that Lawrence shot O’Connor, with van der Westhuizen also being responsible for the murder of Keegan.
Prosecution’s Case
- The jury found evidence of a shared commitment to the murders.
- Van der Westhuizen owed O’Connor approximately €70,000 from drug transactions.
- Lawrence had inquired about taking a boat on Lough Sheelin shortly before the victims were last seen.
Witness testimonies highlighted that Lawrence allegedly confessed to the shooting, a claim bolstered by expert pathology evidence. Despite her not testifying during the trial, her presence during crucial events was emphasized by the prosecution.
Background of the Accused
Initially from Clontarf in Dublin, Lawrence’s last known residence was Patricks Cottage, Ross, Mountnugent in County Meath. Following the murders, she fled to South Africa, where she expressed fears of becoming a trafficking victim and sought refuge in women’s shelters. In May 2023, authorities extradited her back to Ireland to face trial.
Current Status of Co-Accused
Neville van der Westhuizen is currently serving a 15-year sentence in Durban, South Africa, for separate offenses, including murder. Plans are underway to bring him back to Ireland for trial once he completes his sentence.
Verdict & Next Steps
Lawrence pleaded not guilty to the murders, which took place between April 22 and May 26, 2014. The jury had three options regarding the charges: guilty of murder, not guilty but guilty of assisting an offender, or not guilty. The trial judge indicated that the not guilty verdict was “theoretical.”
The cases against Lawrence shed light on a grim chapter in Dublin’s recent criminal history, highlighting the complexities of drug-related violence. Further developments in the ongoing legal proceedings will follow as efforts to bring van der Westhuizen to justice continue.
