Wife Killer Brian Kearney Granted ‘Compassionate’ Day Out of Prison, Victim’s Family Shocked

A man convicted of killing his wife by strangling her with a wire flex at their home in Ireland is being granted a day out of prison, prompting concern from the victim's family, according to the Irish Mirror. Brian Kearney, 67, strangled his wife, Siobhan Kearney, 38, with a wire flex at their home in Knocknashee, Goatstown, in February 2026, the Irish Mirror reported. Kearney’s wife Siobhan was 38 years old when she was strangled to death in February 2006. The news of Kearney's temporary release has sent shock waves through the victim's family.

According to The Irish Mirror, Kearney is being granted a “compassionate day” out of prison to visit family members. He will be taken to a “neutral venue”, where he will meet relatives while being escorted by two prison officers before returning to the prison to continue serving his sentence, the Irish Mirror reported.

Siobhan Kearney's family said they were informed about the decision earlier this week. This decision to grant Kearney a day out of prison to meet with his family has left Siobhan Kearney's family angry and concerned.

“We got a total cold and callous email telling us that he is getting compassionate leave from prison with absolutely no explanation at all as to what this means,” Siobhan Kearney's sister, Brighid Kearney said, according to The Irish Mirror.

“It has sent shockwaves through the whole family. We received no consultation at all. It was just a short email informing us. Now we are worried that he could be anywhere. I mean, we could bump into him,” Brighid Kearney added.

The move comes just a week after Siobhan Kearney's family spoke to the Irish Mirror about their efforts to keep Kearney behind bars. The victim’s mother, Deirdre Kearney, said that she believes the trauma from her daughter's death contributed to her health struggles.

“I have cancer, I blame him. Everything was brought on from what happened to Siobhan. I think about her every day of my life," Deirdre Kearney added.

Siobhan Kearney's family has a scheduled meeting with the Parole Board next month. The victim’s family is once again forced to plead before the Parole Board to keep Kearney behind bars.

“It's getting worse over time. I am getting older, and it is just getting worse. We just stop and think about how she was robbed of this marvelous life we had. It's all gone because he decided in a mad moment to get rid of her,” Deirdre Kearney said.

“It has affected us so badly, and he has no idea how much this has devastated us. It never goes away. I’m going up to the parole board like I did the last time. It's very important that I see them," she added.

The devastated mother of the victim intends to tell the Parole Board that if the officials plan to release the ailing killer, they must understand the devastating impact it will have on the family, the Irish Mirror reported.

Kearney’s latest parole hearing will be his fourth since he was arrested in 2008. He was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of murdering his wife.