Courts / Dublin / Report
Attempted murder accused does not qualify for special insanity verdict, psychiatrist tells trial
Summary
In a Dublin trial, 37‑year‑old Tomas Gajowniczek pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and serious harm of his partner, Alicja Kalinowska, on 16 June 2016. Psychiatrist Professor Damian Mohan testified that Gajowniczek was smoking cannabis at the time and was suffering a drug‑induced psychosis, but he did not meet the criteria for a special insanity verdict. Mohan disagreed with a colleague who had previously argued that Gajowniczek had a mental disorder. He noted that the accused had been intoxicated and angry, had locked his partner out of their apartment, and had claimed she had poisoned him. Mohan said the intoxication was not a mental disorder and that Gajowniczek's claims of poisoning were unsubstantiated. The accused remains in a drug‑free high‑support unit at Cloverhill Prison, where he has not shown psychotic symptoms since July 2017. The jury will hear closing arguments tomorrow.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Attempted murder accused does not qualify for special insanity verdict, psychiatrist tells trial. Charges or matters: the attempted murder of Alicja Kalinowska (30) at their home on June 16, 2016; intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Ms Kalinowska on the same date at the same location. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- June 16, 2016 Incident
- January 2016 Incident
- July 2017 Other
- 2018-04-23 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: the attempted murder of Alicja Kalinowska (30) at their home on June 16, 2016; intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Ms Kalinowska on the same date at the same location (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Mental Hospital
- Cloverhill Prison
Topics
Drugs Stage Trial Violent Crime
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