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Murder accused previously charged with attacking wife, trial hears

Summary

The Central Criminal Court heard that Alan Ward, aged 54, denies murdering his wife Catherine Ward, aged 41, who died on 1 March 2019 after being stabbed in their home. Ward has pleaded not guilty to the murder, to a threat to kill his son Adam, and to an attempted stabbing of Adam. He was previously charged in 2002 with assaulting his wife after heavy drinking and tablets, and again in 2010 when he assaulted her, causing a head injury that required hospital treatment. In 2011 he allegedly injured a neighbour with a sword. Psychiatrist Dr Damien Smith, called by the prosecution, said Ward's actions were better explained by acute intoxication and that his 2017 stroke did not produce a significant personality change. Dr Paul O'Connell, called by the defence, argued that the stroke, combined with long‑term alcohol abuse and childhood trauma, contributed to a mental disorder that may have impaired Ward's responsibility.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused previously charged with attacking wife, trial hears. 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; assaulting his wife, causing her harm, after drinking heavily and taking tablets. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• March 1, 2019 Incident
• July 2010 Incident
• 2021-12-14 Publication

Why: He said Mr Ward was therefore not entitled to a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity because the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act specifically precludes intoxication from such a finding. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report