A Dublin man accused of murdering his girlfriend in Spain may face trial in Ireland following a recent legal development.
Spanish authorities have offered their Irish counterparts the option to prosecute Keith Byrne, who was indicted last year for the alleged murder of Kirsty Ward at a Costa Dorada hotel. Spanish prosecutors had originally sought a 21-year prison sentence for Byrne if convicted.
In a surprising turn of events, the Irish authorities have been invited to take over the case, potentially exposing Byrne to a life sentence if found guilty. Under Irish law, courts have jurisdiction over murder and manslaughter cases committed abroad by Irish citizens.
A law enacted in 2019 expanded this to include individuals who are ordinarily resident in Ireland and specific foreign offences that align with Irish legal standards.
A Spanish court source confirmed the offer is active, stating: “The offer to Irish authorities to prosecute Byrne themselves is already on the table, and a ‘yes’ from Ireland would suffice in principle. If Dublin agrees to proceed, an extradition request would follow.”
While Spain introduced life sentences in 2015, they only apply to specific crimes, such as terror-related murders or the murder of minors under 16. The murder charge Byrne faces does not meet these criteria under Spanish law.
The court’s move to offer Ireland the chance to prosecute has reportedly caused tensions. Sources revealed that the involved lawyers have conflicting views on the matter, with one side opposing the move while the other supports it.
It remains unclear if Byrne’s defence team is against the transfer, but the potential for a life sentence in Ireland suggests they may prefer the trial to remain in Spain.
Byrne, who has been held in jail in Spain since his arrest, was charged in November with the murder of his south Dublin girlfriend following an extensive probe led by a specialist gender violence judge.
Prosecutors allege Byrne deliberately killed Kirsty Ward, believing he couldn’t accept the end of their eight-month relationship. They claimed Byrne used his superior strength and the confined space of their room at the four-star Magnolia Hotel in Salou to overpower her.
Byrne has consistently denied the allegations, stating he found Kirsty unresponsive with a ligature around her neck and attempted to revive her.
Despite Byrne’s claims, Tarragona-based prosecutors argued that the couple’s deteriorating relationship was a key factor in the alleged murder. Investigators believe Kirsty Ward had “no easy escape” from the room, which contributed to her death.
