Courts / Mayo / Report

Son who murdered mother while high on drugs fails in conviction appeal

Summary

A man from Castlebar, County Mayo, has failed in his appeal against a murder conviction at the Court of Appeal. The 25-year-old was sentenced to life imprisonment in February 2014 for the death of his mother on March 9, 2011. He had admitted manslaughter but pleaded not guilty to murder. During his trial at the Central Criminal Court, evidence emerged concerning his long-standing substance abuse and intoxication at the time of the killing. His defence centred on arguments of diminished responsibility and an inability to form the necessary intent due to drug use. A jury unanimously rejected these submissions and returned a guilty verdict for murder. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice John Edwards, found the trial satisfactory and the conviction safe. The court considered the trial judge's instructions to the jury adequate despite submissions regarding the handling of intoxication evidence. The appeal was dismissed.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Son who murdered mother while high on drugs fails in conviction appeal. Charges or matters: her murder. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• March 9, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
• February 5, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2018-05-15 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report