Courts / Dublin / Report
Autistic man not guilty of trying to murder sister by reason of insanity
Summary
Daniel O'Connell, a 33‑year‑old autistic man from Kilkenny, was found not guilty by reason of insanity after attempting to murder his pregnant sister, Olivia O'Connell, in Dublin. The Central Criminal Court heard that Daniel had developed homicidal feelings toward his sister when she moved to Dublin, fearing she would raise a child there. He had a history of an "unnatural dislike of Dublin" stemming from a school trip incident. He admitted to stabbing Olivia three to four times in her home on 25 April 2016, motivated by a belief that she was carrying a Dublin baby and his own suicidal thoughts. Both prosecution and defence psychiatrists agreed that his autism constituted a mental disorder that negated his intent. The jury, after two hours and six minutes, returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Autistic man not guilty of trying to murder sister by reason of insanity. Charges or matters: her attempted murder on April 25, 2016 at Scholarstown Park, Scholarstown Road, Knocklyon. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity
When:
- April 25, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- Monday October 23rd Hearing Or Sentence
- 2017-10-12 Publication
Why: He said he wanted to kill his sister 'because she was carrying a Dublin baby'. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: her attempted murder on April 25, 2016 at Scholarstown Park, Scholarstown Road, Knocklyon (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Places mentioned
- Dublin. The Central Criminal Court
- Scholarstown Park
- Scholarstown Road
- St Luke's Hospital
- Central Mental Hospital
Topics
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