The family of an Irish woman who was tragically killed by her partner in a hotel in Spain two years ago has expressed profound disappointment with the prison sentence handed down to him.
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Keith Byrne has been sentenced to 15 years for the murder of Kirsty Ward, with credit given for the two years he has already spent in custody. This verdict has left Ms. Ward’s parents, Jackie and John, feeling that the sentence undermines the gravity of the crime and the jury’s decision.
Byrne strangled the 36-year-old mother of one at a hotel in Salou on July 2, 2023, as she was preparing to leave him.
In their statement, Ms. Ward’s parents noted, “This 15-year term diminishes the severity of this heinous act. It appears to disregard the jury’s verdict and instead factors in Byrne’s use of alcohol and drugs, despite his false assertions that Kirsty had taken her own life.” John Gough, her father, characterized the sentence as “disappointing,” asserting that it “should have been longer.”
Jackie Ward echoed her husband’s sentiments, saying, “We fought for two long years for Kirsty to receive justice. The jury fulfilled their duty admirably by finding him guilty of murder, yet the judge reduced the sentence to a mere 15 years. As a family, we are heartbroken and deeply disheartened by this news.”
Byrne, a 34-year-old former soldier residing in Duleek, Co. Meath, was already wanted in the UK for being absent without leave for five years at the time of the murder. Tragically, Ms. Ward had made plans to escape their tumultuous relationship, purchasing a ticket from Spain to Dublin—just two days before Byrne took her life.
The public prosecutor, who advocated for a 20-year sentence, is currently appealing the leniency of the ruling, as Ms. Ward’s family seeks to ensure justice for their daughter.
During sentencing, Judge Susana Calvo Gonzalez acknowledged that the eight months of their “stable” relationship made the crime more serious. However, she also cited Byrne’s use of drugs and alcohol as a mitigating factor that influenced her decision. In her words, “While I understand the basis for imposing a reduced penalty, we must also consider the circumstances that led to this tragic outcome.”
In May, after three days of deliberation, jurors found Byrne guilty of Kirsty Ward’s murder. During his trial in Tarragona, he attempted to portray himself as a “respectful and intelligent” father of three, accusing Ms. Ward of being unpredictable.
Jackie Ward reflected on her initial impressions of Byrne during the trial, stating, “I always felt uneasy around him. After Kirsty’s death, I learned that she had been planning to leave him during their supposed ‘make or break’ holiday.”
Public prosecutor Javier Goimil, who specializes in domestic violence cases, dismissed Byrne’s claims of suicide during his closing remarks. He asserted, “For Byrne, it was clear: she was either his or nobody’s. He made a choice that cost her life.” The court granted a restraining order against Byrne, preventing him from contacting Ms. Ward’s family or getting within 1,000 meters of them for the next 25 years, along with a compensation order.
Jackie criticized Byrne’s behavior and lack of remorse, stating, “His accusations were cowardly, and he showed no acknowledgment of the life he destroyed. Kirsty was ready to build a life with someone who could truly cherish her.” She expressed disbelief over her daughter’s fate, saying, “I was very close to Kirsty; I never imagined her life was in danger.”
Despite offers of assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs, the family felt largely unsupported. Jackie remarked on their difficult journey following Kirsty’s death, stating, “We received only lists of numbers and names. I had to travel to Spain with my sisters to identify her—and after that, we were left to make our own arrangements.”
The family did receive considerable support from the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, which played a crucial role in bringing Kirsty’s remains back home.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
