Parents of Irish woman murdered by her partner in Spain speak out on warning signs and sentencing

Kirsty Ward, the Irish woman murdered by her partner while on holiday in Spain

The parents of Kirsty Ward, the Irish woman murdered by her partner while on holiday in Spain, will speak publicly tonight about the warning signs they now recognise, the sentence imposed on her killer, and the devastating impact of her death on their family.

In an interview to be broadcast on RTÉ’s Prime Time this evening (Thursday 8 January), Kirsty’s parents, Jackie and John, recount the events surrounding their daughter’s murder and their determination to ensure her life — and the circumstances of her death — are not forgotten.

Kirsty Ward, a 36-year-old mother of one, was murdered by her Irish partner Keith Byrne in a hotel room in Salou, Spain, in July 2023. Byrne was convicted of murder by a Spanish jury and sentenced last year to 15 years in prison.

Speaking to presenter Miriam O’Callaghan, Jackie and John say that while they had concerns about the relationship, they never believed their daughter was in danger.

“I thought maybe he’d break her heart…I never thought for one moment that she was in danger,” Jackie Gough, Kirsty’s mother, said.

‘I knew’

Kirsty’s Ward’s parents, Jackie and John

The programme hears how the couple learned of Kirsty’s death — a moment that remains etched in their memory.

John was at home alone recovering from open-heart surgery, while Jackie was out with their youngest daughter, Zoe, when Gardaí arrived at the family home.

“As soon as I arrived, it was obvious there was something wrong,” Jackie recalls.

Seeing two plain-clothes Garda officers waiting, she immediately understood what had happened.

“I said, ‘What has he done?’” she recalls. “I knew.”

Impact on family and son

Tonight’s Prime Time interview explores the lasting impact of Kirsty’s murder on her family, including the effect on her teenage son, who has been left without his mother.

Jackie and John also speak of the pain caused by the court outcome, and their belief that the sentence imposed does not fully reflect the loss suffered by Kirsty’s loved ones.

They say one of the reasons they agreed to speak publicly was to raise awareness of the early warning signs of coercive and controlling behaviour, which they now believe were present in their daughter’s relationship.

‘People need to know his name’

Remembering Kirsty

Jackie warns that Byrne will one day return to Ireland when his sentence is complete, urging vigilance and public awareness.

“He’s going to return home at some point to this country when his sentence is finished and complete. He’s going to take up a job. He’s going to take up a relationship,” she says.

“People need to know Keith Byrne’s name and how dangerous he is.”

Kirsty’s father John drew comparisons with other high-profile Irish murder cases.

“This is what we’re dealing with here. This is another Joe O’Reilly. This is another (Richard) Satchwell. Same character traits. And all of that came out in the court,” he said.

Raising awareness

Jackie and John say they are determined that Kirsty’s life, and the reality of what happened to her, should not be diminished. They hope that by sharing their story, other families — and potential victims — may recognise warning signs sooner and seek help.

The full interview will air on Prime Time tonight, January 8, at 9:35pm on RTÉ One, and will also be available on RTÉ Player.

The online report can be read at RTÉ.ie/primetime.