Courts / Dublin / Report

"I sliced her like you would a goat": woman goes on trial for attempted murder of civil servant

Date
2018-10-16

Stage
Finding

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

Laura Kenna, aged 34 and without a fixed abode, was arrested on suspicion of slicing the throat of civil servant Fionnuala Burke on Lower Drumcondra Road on 3 January 2017. Kenna pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to attempted murder and assault intending serious harm. The prosecution argued that Kenna attacked Burke, who was walking home from work, by pushing her onto a grassy area and stabbing her with a knife. Burke suffered a deep cut across her neck, penetrating muscle and the thyroid gland, and was treated in intensive care. Kenna was later arrested in Tallaght, where she was found with blood on her clothing, a knife and items belonging to Burke. She admitted to the attack, describing it as "slicing her like you would a goat." The case was opened at the Central Criminal Court, with the jury instructed to consider Kenna's state of mind. The trial was scheduled to continue before Mr Justice Robert Eagar.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "I sliced her like you would a goat": woman goes on trial for attempted murder of civil servant. Charges or matters: the attempted murder of Fionnuala Burke as well as assault intending to cause serious harm to the same woman on Lower Drumcondra Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 on January 3, 2017. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity

When:

January 3, 2017 Incident
2018-10-16 Publication

Case subjects

Laura Kenna

Accused

Charges: the attempted murder of Fionnuala Burke as well as assault intending to cause serious harm to the same woman on Lower Drumcondra Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 on January 3, 2017 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity

Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity