The Daily Star Ireland
A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a 65-year-old Newbridge resident who had previously provided shelter to the man’s mother during a period of homelessness. The victim, Peter Kennedy, was remembered by both family and community members as a generous and compassionate figure. The perpetrator, 23-year-old Brian Ibe, was convicted following a trial in which his defense of insanity was rejected by the jury.
Ibe, who had no fixed address at the time of sentencing but had previously lived in Moore Park, Newbridge, was found guilty of murdering Mr Kennedy. The attack occurred on 28 April 2020, following a series of interactions that began the previous year when Kennedy offered assistance to Ibe’s mother, Martha, after learning she had been sleeping in her car.
Timeline of Events and Trial Findings
In 2019, Kennedy extended further support by allowing Brian Ibe to move into his home. However, tensions escalated around Christmas of that year when Ibe reportedly became aggressive and made threats, prompting Kennedy to call the Gardaí. Officers responded and instructed Ibe to leave the property, after which he relocated to a homeless shelter in Walkinstown, Dublin.
Months later, Ibe returned to Kennedy’s home by taxi, forcibly entered the property by breaking a window, and violently attacked the 65-year-old. Kennedy was taken to hospital with serious injuries and died nearly two weeks later on 2 May 2020.
Ibe was also charged with assaulting Garda Brendan O’Donnell at Newbridge Garda Station shortly after his arrest on 29 April 2020. He pleaded not guilty to both charges on the grounds of insanity. The defense presented testimony from two psychiatric experts who claimed that Ibe was experiencing a schizophrenic psychotic episode at the time and met the legal criteria for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.
However, the prosecution’s expert, Dr Mary Davoren, rejected the diagnosis of schizophrenia, stating that Ibe suffered from a dissocial personality disorder instead. She testified that he did not meet the threshold for the special verdict. The jury ultimately sided with the prosecution and convicted Ibe of both murder and assault.
Sentencing and Victim Impact
During sentencing, Ms Justice Melanie Greally handed Ibe the mandatory life sentence for murder and a 12-month sentence for the assault on Garda O’Donnell. In her remarks, she acknowledged the testimonies of multiple individuals who spoke to Kennedy’s selflessness and active engagement in his local community, including work with Newbridge Tidy Towns and other local initiatives.
Peter Kennedy’s sister, Ann Marie Kennedy, described her brother as a deeply charitable and helpful person who remained committed to those in need. She said the manner of his death was a horrifying conclusion to a life of kindness and that his family continues to experience profound grief and distress.
She expressed gratitude to the hospital staff, advocacy organizations, and members of An Garda Síochána who assisted her brother during his final moments. She particularly thanked the officers who remained by his side, offering comfort and care as he lost consciousness.
Justice Greally also commented on Ibe’s background, noting the significant challenges he faced growing up and the role of substance addiction in his life. However, she remarked on the absence of any genuine remorse from Ibe for the killing or its consequences.
The case underscores the challenges courts face when mental health defenses intersect with acts of extreme violence and highlights the lasting impact such crimes have on victims’ families and the broader community.
