Cavanman jailed for pensioner's killing

A Cavanman, who stabbed and battered to death a 'Good Samaritan' who took him in, has today been jailed for at least 10 years.

Joseph Dolan (30) of no fixed abode was due to go on trial in Dungannon last December accused of murdering Fermanagh woman Pauline Kilkenny (59) at her home in the Cornacully Road between Belcoo and Garrison in November 2018. However, in an unexpected development defence QC James Gallagher asked for Dolan, who had previous convictions for violence, to be re-arraigned before the Dungannon Crown Court, sitting in Belfast.

When the murder charge was put to Dolan, he replied simply: “Not guilty to murder... but guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.”
The plea was accepted, however an adendem report was sought as there was the question regarding Dolan's dangerousness.

Ms Kilkenny was stabbed 28 times to the head, neck and back.

Dolan, from Cavan, suffered from a personality disorder and had taken prescription drugs before killing her.

He later said his victim was “like a mother to him”.

Ms Kilkenny had provided a home for Dolan who in January 2013 was sentenced to three years for robbery and for beating a Drogheda pensioner 'as hard as he could' with the victim's umbrella, and then hours later stabbing a local taxi driver.