Man charged with the murder of a Kilkenny widow that happened 28 years ago

A 52-year-old man was today charged with the murder of a 79-year-old widow in Kilkenny city that happened over 28 years ago.

John Joseph Malone of Newpark, Kilkenny city went before a special sitting of Kilkenny district court this morning. He has been charged with the murder of Ann 'Nancy' Smyth, who had lost her husband a year previously in 1986.

Mrs Smyth was found dead following a fire at her home on 11 September 1987 by fire personnel, and the case has been the subject of on-going garda reviews over the last number of years.

Mr Malone, who is unemployed, was granted free legal aid, and the hearing lasted only five minutes this morning.