Man pleads guilty to Cork murder

A young man has been remanded in custody for sentencing tomorrow after he changed his plea to guilty on the second day of his trial for the murder of his 19-year-old former girlfriend in Co Cork last year.

Thomas Kennedy (21) of Russell Heights, Cobh, Co Cork had denied the charge of murdering Sheola Keaney at Cobh between Sept 14th and 16th when he was first arraigned at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork last Tuesday.

He re-iterated his not guilty plea when the charge was again put to him last Friday but this morning, asked to be re-arraigned on the single charge and when the charge was read to him, pleaded guilty to murder.

Sheola Keaney's father, Peter broke down in tears while her mother, Carol was comforted by her partner, Sean Tobin when Kennedy dramatically changed his plea just as Prosecution Counsel, Patrick McCarthy SC was about to call various state witnesses.

Mr Justice Paul Carney noted the change in plea and remanded Kennedy in custody to appear again at the Central Criminal Court tomorrow when it's expected that a victim impact statement will be presented outlining the effect Sheola's killing has had on her family.