Courts / Dublin / Report

Christina Anderson admits to manslaughter over a month into murder trial

Summary

Mum-of-three Christina Anderson has pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility for stabbing a man to death outside her home after spending over a month on trial accused of murder. Ms Anderson, who has been a patient at the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) since shortly after she stabbed 39-year-old Gareth Kelly to death, had previously pleaded not guilty to murder by reason of insanity. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has considered a plea to the lesser charge of manslaughter, and Ms Anderson was arraigned on the new charge of manslaughter and pleaded guilty in front of the jury. Patrick McGrath SC, for the DPP, said the plea was accepted and the DPP intends to enter a 'nolle prosequi' in relation to the murder charge at a sentencing hearing next April. Michael O'Higgins SC, who acted for Ms Anderson, said that the plea decision was taken 'after lengthy consideration and appraisal of this case'. The court has previously heard that Professor Harry Kennedy, a consultant psychiatrist, disagreed with Dr Brenda Wright, a consultant psychiatrist called by the defence, who said that Ms Anderson was suffering from bipolar affective disorder and as a result of her mental disorder she was unable to refrain from stabbing Mr Kelly. Professor Kennedy had written a report in which he said that Ms Anderson's behaviour was better explained by cannabis intoxication. Intoxication cannot be used as a defence under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. Following today's plea, Ms Anderson began to cry as Mr O'Higgins told the court that his client's first instruction was to 'apologise profusely' to the Kelly family for the events that led to Mr Kelly's death. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor will hear evidence and submissions relating to sentencing on April 17 when the Kelly family will also be invited to make impact statements to the court. The judge remanded Ms Anderson in custody after hearing that the accused will be taken to the Dochas women's prison before being transferred back to the CMH where she is undergoing treatment for her psychiatric condition. Gareth Kelly, the defendant, faces a charge of murder by reason of insanity and has pleaded not guilty. The matter was adjourned.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Christina Anderson admits to manslaughter over a month into murder trial. Charges or matters: manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility for stabbing a man to death outside her home after spending over a month on trial accused of murder; murder by reason of insanity. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• April 17 Hearing Or Sentence
• February 25, 2020 Incident
• February 16, 2020 Other
• February 23 Hearing Or Sentence
• February 16 Hearing Or Sentence
• December 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
• Christmas Other
• 2023-01-13 Publication

Why: Mr O'Higgins said that she was unable to offer an apology earlier because of the trial process but it is a "matter of great regret" for Ms Anderson that the Kelly family had to sit through a rehearsal of the "most unpleasant facts" relating to his death. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report