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Murder accused husband said he couldn't remember if he stabbed wife
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Alan Ward, 54, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his wife Catherine, 41, who was found dead on March 1, 2019, at their Clondalkin home. Ward told Gardaí that after a bickering episode, his wife hit him, he grabbed a lock‑knife, and went upstairs where she lay in blood. When asked if he stabbed her, he said he could not remember and when asked if he killed her, he said, "I'm not sure." He added that he had been drinking vodka, taken five or six prescription tablets, and had no intention to harm her. Ward also denied an offence of threatening his son Adam and of attempting to stab Adam on the same date. The case is proceeding before Mr Justice Tony Hunt with a jury of nine men and three women.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murder accused husband said he couldn't remember if he stabbed wife. Charges or matters: the murder of his wife Catherine Ward (41) at their home on Greenfort Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 on March 1, 2019; an offence of making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to his son Adam Ward, intending him to believe that the threat would be carried out and has pleaded not guilty to attempting to stab Adam on the same date. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- March 1, 2019 Incident
- 2021-12-09 Publication
Why: Alan Ward said he couldn't remember all that had happened because he was drinking vodka and had taken five or six tablets that he was prescribed after he suffered a stroke. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the murder of his wife Catherine Ward (41) at their home on Greenfort Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 on March 1, 2019; an offence of making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to his son Adam Ward, intending him to believe that the threat would be carried out and has pleaded not guilty to attempting to stab Adam on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Greenfort Drive
- Dublin
- the accused at Ronanstown Garda Station
Topics
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