Courts / Roscommon / Report

Murder accused who strangled his girlfriend was suffering from schizophrenia and "believed he was in the Matrix", trial hears

Summary

A 34-year-old man stands charged with the murder of his girlfriend at the Central Criminal Court. The accused, with an address in Boyle, County Roscommon, is charged with strangling a 23-year-old woman at a residence in Sligo on 28 October 2015. He has pleaded not guilty to murder by reason of insanity. The defence has admitted that the accused caused the woman's death by strangulation, with the sole issue being his mental state at the time. Detective Sergeant evidence outlined that the accused made a 999 call to emergency services, stating he had killed his girlfriend using a rear naked choke hold. Forensic psychiatrist Dr Fiona Toal testified that the accused suffered from schizophrenia and had stopped taking anti-psychotic medication months before the incident. She stated he believed he was in the Matrix and that voices instructed him to kill. Dr Toal concluded the accused was unable to refrain from the killing and did not know his actions were wrong. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused who strangled his girlfriend was suffering from schizophrenia and "believed he was in the Matrix", trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering Natalie McGuinness (23) at The Mews, Mail Coach Road in Sligo on October 28, 2015; murdering Ms McGuinness by reason of insanity. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• October 28, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• October 27 Incident
• October 28 Hearing Or Sentence
• October 29 Hearing Or Sentence
• July 2014 Incident
• February 2015 Other
• September 2015 Incident
• January 2017 Incident
• 2017-07-06 Publication

Why: Mr Conroy showed some insight into his illness and said he was upset because his mind had tricked him into killing someone. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Court refuses to reduce sentence for brothel keeper caught with child abuse material
• Cage fighter convicted of Shannon murder gets hearing date for miscarriage of justice application
• Strokestown assault conviction overturned by High Court
• Cage fighter seeks to have murder conviction declared a miscarriage of justice
• Ukrainian man left with serious head injury after unprovoked fire extinguisher attack
• Judge asks for information on allegation that garda photographed whistleblower in court

Read the original CNI report