Courts / Dublin / Report

Attempted murder accused told gardai she "wanted to see" victim die and had fascination with "seeing the life drain out of people"

Summary

In a Dublin court, 35‑year‑old Laura Kenna, who has no fixed abode, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to attempted murder and assault charges after she sliced the throat of civil servant Fionnuala Bourke on Lower Drumcondra Road on 3 January 2017. Kenna told Gardaí that she wanted to see Bourke die and had a fascination with watching people's life drain away. She claimed she had been "picking a victim" on Drumcondra Road, had let another woman go, and that Bourke was simply an opportunistic target. Kenna admitted she intended to kill Bourke, described her knife as "a great fucking knife," and said she was "tired of lots of people." The trial, presided over by Justice Robert Eagar, will continue tomorrow.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Attempted murder accused told gardai she "wanted to see" victim die and had fascination with "seeing the life drain out of people". Charges or matters: the attempted murder of Ms Bourke on Lower Drumcondra Road, Dublin 9 on January 3, 2017. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• January 3, 2017 Incident
• January 5, 2017 Incident
• 2018-10-17 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report