Courts / Dublin / Report
"Anger" and "entitlement" drove woman's knife attack, psychiatrist tells trial
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Dr Harry Kennedy, a consultant psychiatrist, testified that Laura Kenna (37), who is homeless, did not carry out a severe knife attack on Fionnuala Burke on 3 January 2017 because of delusional impulses but rather because of anger and a sense of entitlement. Kenna, charged with attempted murder and assault causing serious harm, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to both counts. Dr Kennedy described Kenna as an inconsistent historian with callous, unemotional traits, noting that she fabricated stories to her advantage, such as claiming she had walked to Belfast after the attack. He argued that Kenna's actions were deliberate and not the result of a psychotic episode, though she meets criteria for schizoaffective disorder and is more stable on medication. The trial continues tomorrow before Ms Justice Tara Burns.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Anger" and "entitlement" drove woman's knife attack, psychiatrist tells trial. Charges or matters: attempting to murder Fionnuala Burke on Lower Drumcondra Road, in Dublin, on January 3, 2017 and assault causing serious harm on the same occasion. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- January 3, 2017 Incident
- 2019-02-28 Publication
Why: Credit: Collins) A woman did not carry out a severe knife attack on another woman because of "delusional" impulses but rather because of "anger" and "a sense of entitlement", a consultant psychiatrist has told the Central Criminal Court. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: attempting to murder Fionnuala Burke on Lower Drumcondra Road, in Dublin, on January 3, 2017 and assault causing serious harm on the same occasion (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Lower Drumcondra Road
- Dublin
Topics
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