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Crowded House: The Definitive Story Behind the Gruesome Murder of Patricia O'Connor
In June 2017, a woman picnicking in the Wicklow Mountains stumbled upon something in a ditch that would set in motion a chain of events that horrified the nation. It was the first of fifteen dismembered body parts belonging to retired hospital worker Patricia O'Connor.
Kieran Greene, the father of three of Patricia's grandchildren, later handed himself in, confessing to beating her to death in the home they shared in what he said was an act of self-defence. He also confessed to dismembering her and disposing of her remains but later changed his story, implicating several members of Patricia's household, including her husband and daughter.
In this nuanced and meticulous account of a deeply disturbing crime, award-winning journalist and Courts Correspondent for Newstalk and Today FM Frank Greaney uncovers the story behind the gruesome murder of Patricia O'Connor, and looks at who Patricia really was through exclusive follow-up interviews with other members of her family.
Kieran Greene, the father of three of Patricia's grandchildren, later handed himself in, confessing to beating her to death in the home they shared in what he said was an act of self-defence. He also confessed to dismembering her and disposing of her remains but later changed his story, implicating several members of Patricia's household, including her husband and daughter.
In this nuanced and meticulous account of a deeply disturbing crime, award-winning journalist and Courts Correspondent for Newstalk and Today FM Frank Greaney uncovers the story behind the gruesome murder of Patricia O'Connor, and looks at who Patricia really was through exclusive follow-up interviews with other members of her family.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 30, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 11, 2021
Due to the nature of the book and the gruesome details in it, saying that I “enjoyed” this book, would feel wrong. However, the mind-boggling events paired up with Frank Greaney’s good writing, it sums up to be a gripping true crime book.
June 18, 2023
This is a true horror story, about one of several extremely shocking crimes to have happened in Ireland in recent years. Human body parts strewn around the Wicklow mountains turned out to be the remains of a grandmother who had been living in a Dublin suburb with her husband, their daughter, five grandchildren and the daughter's partner.
What made this particularly disgusting was the fact that, while Patricia's bludgeoned remains were in the house, her husband (Gus), daughter (Louise), eldest granddaughter (Stephanie) and Stephanie's father all conspired to cover up the murder. They even staged a charade to make it look as if Patricia had left: Stephanie, dressed as Patricia, stormed out of the front door with a suitcase in full view of the neighbour's CCTV (and later returned through a back entrance, unaware that she had been caught on another CCTV camera).
Louise's partner (Kieran Greene) and ex-partner (Keith Johnston) went on a shopping spree to buy tools incuding saws. Kieran Greene initially "confessed" to murdering Patricia, dumping her body in a field, then returning to hack and saw it into pieces before dumping it all over the mountains. He later changed his story, claiming he had agreed to take the blame (apparently for the sake of the kids - which doesn't make sense, but then neither does this whole horrible crime) and pointing the finger at Gus for the actual murder. By that stage the State prosecutor had already decided to charge Greene for the murder. Greene was convicted of murder while Gus, Louise, Stephanie and Stephanie's father (Keith Johnston) were convicted of impeding the prosecution of Greene.
I hesitated before buying this book, as I had read the newspaper reports at the time and the gory details remain etched in my memory. What convinced me to read it was the fact that it was written by a respected journalist. I also wanted to find out more about Patricia, whose smiling face and shining confidence (based on photos) clearly hid the horror of her home life; I wanted to know how a woman who clearly had loving siblings and made friends easily could have ended up in such a toxic family.
Patricia's friends, colleagues and birth family knew her as a vibrant, bubbly, free spirited woman, but in the court case she was portrayed as a nagging battleaxe.
However, Patricia emerges through the eyes of her work colleagues, friends and siblings as a hardworking, popular, resilient woman who was (justifiably) frustrated as she was the only breadwinner in the house (she worked long shifts in a hospital). Louise had refused an offer of a Council house, preferring to move her partner into the cramped family home, where they proceeded to raise the five children (some from a previous relationship).
Patricia had moved out at one stage to live in a flat with a lesbian partner, but when this relationship ended she returned to the family home. She and Gus slept in separate rooms but apparently he always held out hope that she would reunite with him. Significantly, she used to lock her bedroom door - something nobody should have to do in their own home.
Adding to the tragedy is the fact that all the perpetrators were given prison sentences that make a mockery of all the hard work done by the Irish police to investigate this crime. Patricia's husband, Gus, was released from prison after just one year and automatically became sole owner of the house (he sold it at full market value in 2021). Their daughter's partner (Kieran Greene) served just two-and-a-half years for the murder. Patricia's granddaughter (who had disguised herself as her granny after Patricia was murdered) served a mere eight months of an 18-month sentence.
Injustice aside, this story is a cautionary tale to all victims of domestic abuse. While Patricia was entitled to remain in her own home, she would have been better off leaving; having paid off the mortgage, she could have sold the equity in the house to fund a new start. But no doubt Patricia never thought her decision to remain was her death warrant.
What made this particularly disgusting was the fact that, while Patricia's bludgeoned remains were in the house, her husband (Gus), daughter (Louise), eldest granddaughter (Stephanie) and Stephanie's father all conspired to cover up the murder. They even staged a charade to make it look as if Patricia had left: Stephanie, dressed as Patricia, stormed out of the front door with a suitcase in full view of the neighbour's CCTV (and later returned through a back entrance, unaware that she had been caught on another CCTV camera).
Louise's partner (Kieran Greene) and ex-partner (Keith Johnston) went on a shopping spree to buy tools incuding saws. Kieran Greene initially "confessed" to murdering Patricia, dumping her body in a field, then returning to hack and saw it into pieces before dumping it all over the mountains. He later changed his story, claiming he had agreed to take the blame (apparently for the sake of the kids - which doesn't make sense, but then neither does this whole horrible crime) and pointing the finger at Gus for the actual murder. By that stage the State prosecutor had already decided to charge Greene for the murder. Greene was convicted of murder while Gus, Louise, Stephanie and Stephanie's father (Keith Johnston) were convicted of impeding the prosecution of Greene.
I hesitated before buying this book, as I had read the newspaper reports at the time and the gory details remain etched in my memory. What convinced me to read it was the fact that it was written by a respected journalist. I also wanted to find out more about Patricia, whose smiling face and shining confidence (based on photos) clearly hid the horror of her home life; I wanted to know how a woman who clearly had loving siblings and made friends easily could have ended up in such a toxic family.
Patricia's friends, colleagues and birth family knew her as a vibrant, bubbly, free spirited woman, but in the court case she was portrayed as a nagging battleaxe.
However, Patricia emerges through the eyes of her work colleagues, friends and siblings as a hardworking, popular, resilient woman who was (justifiably) frustrated as she was the only breadwinner in the house (she worked long shifts in a hospital). Louise had refused an offer of a Council house, preferring to move her partner into the cramped family home, where they proceeded to raise the five children (some from a previous relationship).
Patricia had moved out at one stage to live in a flat with a lesbian partner, but when this relationship ended she returned to the family home. She and Gus slept in separate rooms but apparently he always held out hope that she would reunite with him. Significantly, she used to lock her bedroom door - something nobody should have to do in their own home.
Adding to the tragedy is the fact that all the perpetrators were given prison sentences that make a mockery of all the hard work done by the Irish police to investigate this crime. Patricia's husband, Gus, was released from prison after just one year and automatically became sole owner of the house (he sold it at full market value in 2021). Their daughter's partner (Kieran Greene) served just two-and-a-half years for the murder. Patricia's granddaughter (who had disguised herself as her granny after Patricia was murdered) served a mere eight months of an 18-month sentence.
Injustice aside, this story is a cautionary tale to all victims of domestic abuse. While Patricia was entitled to remain in her own home, she would have been better off leaving; having paid off the mortgage, she could have sold the equity in the house to fund a new start. But no doubt Patricia never thought her decision to remain was her death warrant.
November 12, 2020
As a fan of true crime and a particular interest in those that are a little closer to home, I picked Crowded House up from my local Easons the moment I spotted it!
I devoured this book. Knowing some details of the case before reading it, this recounting of the gruesome murder and dismemberment of Patricia O'Connor filled in everything i hadn't known before amd gave a very sympathetic view of the late Mrs O'Connor which I hadn't heard before.
I sat and read this book in two sittings, which would have been one if i hadn't started so late in the evening, and found myself thinking about it for days afterwards.
The writing is gripping, making the case clear and concise while also having a human touch, even throughout the court proceedings when I think a lot of True crime can make jargon-filled and sometimes hard to follow.
If you are a fan of true crime then you should pick this up and read it. If you are Irish and a fan of True Crime then you've probably heard of the case already and you should definitely read this as it brings a certain personal element to the case.
The only reason i rated this four stars instead of five is because i would have liked even more of it.
I devoured this book. Knowing some details of the case before reading it, this recounting of the gruesome murder and dismemberment of Patricia O'Connor filled in everything i hadn't known before amd gave a very sympathetic view of the late Mrs O'Connor which I hadn't heard before.
I sat and read this book in two sittings, which would have been one if i hadn't started so late in the evening, and found myself thinking about it for days afterwards.
The writing is gripping, making the case clear and concise while also having a human touch, even throughout the court proceedings when I think a lot of True crime can make jargon-filled and sometimes hard to follow.
If you are a fan of true crime then you should pick this up and read it. If you are Irish and a fan of True Crime then you've probably heard of the case already and you should definitely read this as it brings a certain personal element to the case.
The only reason i rated this four stars instead of five is because i would have liked even more of it.
October 16, 2021
To be honest, I picked-up this book as it was close to home. I moved to Ireland in 2017 but managed to miss this highly publicised news then.
The story itself is already gripping but the way this was written and the way the story was told made me not put the book down at all — the writing is easy to follow, conversations flow naturally, and the details are clear and concise — it draws and hooks you in and I just found myself wanting to read it faster and faster to get to the end.
The author made you feel like you weren’t reading a stranger’s story at all. It felt personal, if that makes sense.
Technically, I think this is a very good read for fans of true crime or those who want to start getting into it as well.
The story itself is already gripping but the way this was written and the way the story was told made me not put the book down at all — the writing is easy to follow, conversations flow naturally, and the details are clear and concise — it draws and hooks you in and I just found myself wanting to read it faster and faster to get to the end.
The author made you feel like you weren’t reading a stranger’s story at all. It felt personal, if that makes sense.
Technically, I think this is a very good read for fans of true crime or those who want to start getting into it as well.
June 8, 2021
Exhaustive, comprehensive account of a brutal callous murder. The rigorous recounting of this awful crime is testimony to the journalistic skills of Frank Greaney. Greaney is at pains to avoid lurid sensationalism in his work to maintain respect for the feelings of the victim's family and to honour the dignity of the memory of Patricia O'Connor. Ultimately, the work left me feeling depressed at the moral depravity of the perpetrators and conspirators involved in this crime.
January 21, 2021
Shocking story
Frank Greaney is an excellent courts correspondent, I have always found his reports to be unbiased and informative, he is also very sympathetic to the victim and their relatives.
I found this book to be written in a similar style with great attention to detail and research.
Frank Greaney is an excellent courts correspondent, I have always found his reports to be unbiased and informative, he is also very sympathetic to the victim and their relatives.
I found this book to be written in a similar style with great attention to detail and research.
March 19, 2021
This was so horrific to read and to know that a mother could be living with her estranged husband, daughter and granddaughter whom she loved and they could be involved in her brutal murder and dismemberment with her body being discarded in the Wicklow mountains It certainly shocked me Well written and would highly recommend
February 18, 2021
Shocking murder
Well told account of an atrocious murder and cover up by Patricias immediate family. How could they do this and claim they knew nothing about it. Her poor son Richard and Patricia’s siblings having to listen to her terrible fate
Well told account of an atrocious murder and cover up by Patricias immediate family. How could they do this and claim they knew nothing about it. Her poor son Richard and Patricia’s siblings having to listen to her terrible fate
February 28, 2021
Living in Dublin, this case somehow passed me by. It is an incredible read and for a true story to have as many twists and turns really made it into a real page turner. Flew through it in a few sittings. Very strong debut by the author.
July 14, 2021
Live in this neighborhood in Dublin so was interested in the case. Had listened to a lot of Frank's reporting at the time but it was nice to have the time to do the deep dive in. I would say a very thorough look at the case and on Patricia's life and background.
September 24, 2022
Thr first 60% or so of the book is brilliant. Really interesting background and insight into the ruse. But from the trial onwards, you'd think the book was written by a different author. Becomes a struggle and alot of repetition and he said this in court, they said that.
February 13, 2021
Creepy bunch of lowlifes that killed and aided in their mums death,interesting but ultimately sad and depressing
April 12, 2021
Rounded up from 3.5.
July 27, 2021
Excellent book of terrible murder
Liked how author laid out the story. Not repetitive, page Turner with unseen ending. Authorities extensive research with pictures of participants.
Liked how author laid out the story. Not repetitive, page Turner with unseen ending. Authorities extensive research with pictures of participants.
September 1, 2021
Written and narrated by a journalist following the 2017 case of the gruesome murder of a grandmother in Dublin.
September 7, 2021
Extremely difficult read/listen, but one that does the story justice.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews