Courts / Dublin / Report

Son said that God had told him to kill mother (88), insanity trial hears

Date
2022-12-15

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a trial at Kincora Court, Dublin 3, Brendan Murray, aged 63, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of his 88‑year‑old mother, Neasa Murray. He told Gardaí that the Holy Spirit commanded him to punch, choke and sexually assault her, though no evidence of assault was found. The Central Criminal Court heard that the prosecution had no dispute over the facts of the incident, only over whether Murray met the criteria for insanity. Defence counsel Anne‑Marie Lawlor SC will present psychiatric evidence from Dr Brenda Wright, who will argue that Murray suffered from schizoaffective disorder and did not understand the wrongfulness of his actions. The case is set to continue before Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury of eight men and four women. The trial focuses on Murray's mental state at the time of the killing.