Courts / Dublin / Report

Doctor admits stabbing autistic toddler son, trial hears

Summary

In a murder trial in the Central Criminal Court, a doctor, Maha Al Adheem, admitted stabbing her three‑year‑old autistic son, Omar Omran, in their south Dublin home on 10 July 2017. She claimed a "power" compelled her to take a knife from a drawer and stab him. The boy was stabbed 20 times, mainly to the trunk, with four wounds penetrating his lungs and heart, severing a vital artery. The court heard that the child's death was caused by massive blood loss. Al Adheem also admitted stabbing herself and reported the incident to Gardaí at 6:40 pm. She was arrested after being discharged from St James's Hospital, where she had been treated for a psychiatric "adjustment reaction." The prosecution and defence psychiatrists agree she meets the criteria for not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial will continue before a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Doctor admits stabbing autistic toddler son, trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering Omar Omran on July 10, 2017 at the same address. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity

When:

• July 10, 2017 Other
• January 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 2014 Other
• March 2017 Other
• July 12 Incident
• July 10 Hearing Or Sentence
• 1994 and 2003 Other
• 2018-12-17 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Finding Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report