Courts / Kilkenny / Report

"Demons took over". Man goes on trial charged with murder of his mother

Date
2013-12-13

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Thomastown

Summary

A 32‑year‑old man with schizophrenia, Niall Stapleton, is on trial in the Central Criminal Court for the murder of his 51‑year‑old mother, Siobhan Stapleton, who died on 25 May 2012 from blunt‑force trauma to the head inflicted with a garden‑fork handle. Stapleton pleaded not guilty, claiming he was not guilty by reason of insanity. He initially told gardai he saw a man leave the scene but later admitted he had snapped and attacked his mother. His 22‑year‑old sister, Sinead Stapleton, testified that he had been on medication for years but was not taking it at the time and that he had been restless and talking to himself the night before the death. The post‑mortem found 28 injuries, including skull fractures and bruising to brain tissue, and the garden‑fork handle was found with blood matching the mother's DNA.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Demons took over". Man goes on trial charged with murder of his mother. Charges or matters: the murder of Siobhan Stapleton (51) at that address on May 25, 2012. Procedural stage: trial

When:

May 25, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
2013-12-13 Publication

Why: " She explained that her brother had gone to Australia to stay with his sister for a few months in 2011, but that their mother had to go out to bring him home. CNI source report