Ruth Lawrence receives dual life sentences for double murder on lake island

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Ruth Lawrence receives dual life sentences for double murder on lake island

Ruth Lawrence, a 46-year-old woman from Clontarf, Dublin, has received dual life sentences for the murders of two men on a lake island. The victims, drug dealer Eoin O’Connor, aged 32, and Anthony Keegan, aged 33, were found bound and buried in a shallow grave in the Midlands over a decade ago.

Details of the Crimes

Lawrence, along with her boyfriend Neville van der Westhuizen, was convicted of orchestrating the murders in a premeditated crime. They lured O’Connor to their residence before executing him and then committed a second murder with van der Westhuizen shooting Keegan.

Victim Impact Statements

During the trial, emotional testimonies from the victims’ families highlighted the trauma caused by the crimes. Karen Roche, O’Connor’s partner, described the horror of watching a loved one face death. Roche expressed her anguish, noting the panic and struggle O’Connor experienced before his murder.

Margaret Keegan, sister of Anthony Keegan, shared her family’s disbelief regarding the meticulous planning involved in the murders. She questioned the motivations behind the horrific acts and stated, “We wondered was he shot first, did he die instantly, did he feel fear?” Their family found it deeply troubling that Lawrence had laughed about the violent death of her brother.

Sentencing Details

Mr. Justice Tony Hunt sentenced Lawrence to two mandatory life terms, effective from October 4, 2022, when she was taken into custody. The Judge conveyed condolences to the victims’ families and emphasized the needless violence that led to their deaths. He remarked that the way their bodies were handled was particularly callous.

Legal Background

The investigation revealed that O’Connor had sold drugs to van der Westhuizen, who owed him approximately €70,000. Lawrence did not testify during the trial and had fled to South Africa after the murders, fearing becoming a victim of human trafficking.

Van der Westhuizen, currently serving a 15-year sentence in Durban for unrelated charges, acted as a crucial accomplice in these murders. He is expected to face trial in Ireland upon completing his sentence.