‘Sometimes you have to behead somebody', man accused of murdering wife told gardai

A 35-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his 33-year-old wife at their home in Charlestown Place, Finglas, on 4 November 2021. The Central Criminal Court heard that the accused told gardai he heard voices in his head and believed his wife was possessed. He said he struck her with a cup, choked her, stabbed her, and used knives to remove her head. The accused told detectives he felt unsafe and feared she would harm him, though he acknowledged she had not attempted to do so. Garda evidence established that two days before the killing, the man was found running barefoot through Dublin city centre in a distressed state and was detained under mental health legislation before being assessed at the Mater Hospital. He was released and collected by his wife. A urine sample tested positive for cannabis. The jury will be asked to consider a special verdict under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath.