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Guilty of murder: jury unanimous in convicting husband who said stroke diminished responsibility
Summary
Alan Ward, aged 54, was found guilty by a unanimous jury of murdering his wife Catherine Ward, aged 41, by stabbing her to death in their Dublin home on 1 March 2019. Ward had claimed that a stroke he suffered in 2017 had substantially diminished his responsibility, but the jury rejected this defence after a little over seven hours of deliberation. The prosecution argued that Ward's behaviour was better explained by intoxication, noting he had drunk a large quantity of vodka before assaulting his wife, and cited his history of violence, including a 2000 conviction for assaulting his wife. Ward was also found guilty by a 10‑to‑1 majority of threatening to kill or cause serious harm to his son Adam Ward and of attempting to stab Adam on the same date. Alan Ward pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Guilty of murder: jury unanimous in convicting husband who said stroke diminished responsibility. Charges or matters: assaulting Catherine causing her harm; murdering his wife Catherine Ward (41) at the home they shared in Greenfort Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 on March 1, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- January 31 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 1, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 2019 Other
- Christmas Other
- 2021-12-20 Publication
Why: The prosecution argued that Ward was not entitled to claim diminished responsibility because his behaviour was better explained by his intoxication, having drunk a large quantity of vodka before assaulting his wife. Prosecution account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: assaulting Catherine causing her harm; murdering his wife Catherine Ward (41) at the home they shared in Greenfort Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 on March 1, 2019 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; He said he will hear victim impact statements from Adam Ward and other members of Mrs Ward's family on January 31 before passing the mandatory life sentence for murder.
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