A man, Nigel Canavan, aged 39, was found guilty of murder by a jury. He claimed that his 58-year-old mother, Angela Canavan, provoked him and attacked him, leading him to defend himself by strangling and smothering her to death in her home. Nigel Canavan argued that his mother inflicted stab wounds on herself on her thighs, with one wound measuring 13.5cm in depth. He asserted that he acted in self-defence when his mother, who had a brain injury from a fall four years prior, attacked him by swinging her hands and attempting to kick him. Nigel Canavan accused his mother of provoking him by insulting him during a heated argument about her drinking habits, calling him the “worst son in the world” and expressing regret for having him. The jury, consisting of 10 women and two men, deliberated for over five hours before dismissing Nigel Canavan’s claims of self-defence and provocation. They also rejected the idea that his mother’s insults justified a charge of manslaughter instead of murder.
A pathologist’s examination revealed that aside from being strangled and smothered, Angela Canavan had a laceration on the top of her head, bruises on her face, body, arms, and legs, as well as three broken ribs. Some injuries indicated that she attempted to defend herself during the attack, with bruises on her chest suggesting she was handled roughly before her death. Nigel Canavan, residing at Erris Gardens, Crossmolina, Co Mayo, pleaded not guilty to his mother’s murder at her residence on St John’s Terrace, Sligo, on May 1st, 2023. He remained on bail throughout the trial and showed no reaction when the jury’s verdict was announced. His father, who stood by his side during the trial, broke down in tears. The judge, Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, remanded Nigel Canavan in custody until his sentencing on June 3rd, where Angela Canavan’s other son, Keith Canavan, will address the court.
The trial uncovered details of Nigel Canavan’s troubled past, including a drunk driving incident in February 2023 where he confronted another driver while wielding a hurl. His then-wife, Claire Conroy, sought a separation to regain a sense of normalcy in her life. Nigel Canavan moved to his father’s residence in Crossmolina after the separation and visited his mother in Sligo over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Angela Canavan, a respected therapist and psychologist, struggled with alcoholism after sustaining a brain injury from a fall in 2019. Despite her independence, she required daily assistance from caregivers due to mobility issues. Angela Canavan’s daughter-in-law, Ms Conroy, spoke highly of her mother-in-law, describing her as a fantastic person whom she sought advice from frequently. On the night of the incident, Nigel Canavan called emergency services after finding his mother deceased in the kitchen. During a voluntary interview, he admitted to arguing with his mother before her death, claiming he heard loud noises before discovering her lifeless body. At trial, Nigel Canavan acknowledged his presence during his mother’s demise and admitted responsibility for her death.
