Courts / Dublin / Report

Nurse who murdered her mother on Christmas Eve jailed for life

Date
2014-10-22
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

A 36‑year‑old nurse, Greta Dudko, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of her 55‑year‑old mother, Anna Butautiene, on Christmas Eve 2010. Dudko admitted striking her mother's head against a wall and then hitting her twice with a glass bottle, resulting in blunt‑force trauma. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, noted Dudko's alcohol problem and medication use, her suspension from nursing due to intoxication, and the recent move of her family from the shared home. She claimed lack of intent because of intoxication and invoked provocation, citing her mother's alleged threats to take her grandson back to Lithuania. The jury, after four and a half hours of deliberation, returned a majority verdict of 11‑to‑1, finding her guilty of murder. The life sentence is back‑dated to her September 2011 arrest. The case was the second jury hearing after a hung jury the previous year.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Nurse who murdered her mother on Christmas Eve jailed for life. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to her manslaughter at that address on December 24th 2010. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: Lack of intent can reduce murder to manslaughter and the defence had argued that she did not have the necessary intent because she was so intoxicated. Defence account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Christmas Eve

Accused

Charges: murder but guilty to her manslaughter at that address on December 24th 2010 (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: Dudko showed no emotion as she was led away to begin her mandatory life sentence, which was backdated to when she went into custody in September 2011.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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