Courts / Waterford / Report

Accused had history of violent and delusional behaviour, jury told

Date
2016-11-03

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Waterford

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Paul Cuddihy, aged 38, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of Maria O'Brien, aged 55, who died after sustaining over 100 knife wounds to her face, head and neck on 5 September 2014 at St Otteran's Hospital. Cuddihy, a former psychiatric unit resident, also faced assault charges against nurses Breda Fennelly, Mary Grant, Terry Hayes and fellow resident Mary Nugent, pleading not guilty by reason of insanity to those as well. Forensic psychiatrist Dr Brenda Wright testified that Cuddihy had a long history of paranoid schizophrenia, delusions of persecution, religious fixation, and auditory hallucinations, including claims that his father had killed his mother. He had repeatedly been admitted to psychiatric care since 2000, often refusing medication, and was eventually prescribed clozapine, which led to further bizarre behaviour and auditory hallucinations.