Courts / Dublin / Report

'Brain's telling me to stab you': neighbour tells of murder accused's visit to house

Summary

Two weeks before the murder of his wife, Alan Ward, 54, visited neighbour Siobhan Byrne's home in Clondalkin, where he was visibly agitated and smelled of alcohol. Byrne, who had known the Ward family since they moved in, reported that Ward stood at her door, then, after being brought inside, told her, "You're a lovely lady but brain's telling me to stab you." He also mentioned wanting to stab his doctor and complained that no one was listening. Byrne's daughter Stacey recalled Ward saying voices in his head told him to hurt people, though she was unsure if he meant people in general or specifically his wife. Ward was taken by ambulance after the incident. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his wife, a threat to kill his son, and an attempt to stab his son, all of which are still pending before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Brain's telling me to stab you': neighbour tells of murder accused's visit to house. 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
• 2021-12-10 Publication

Why: She said she made her statement to gardai about 18 months after the incident and couldn't be sure if she thought he said Catherine because of what happened two weeks later when Catherine Ward was stabbed to death. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report