Courts / Roscommon / Report

Barman stabbed former boss 19 times because he believed he was responsible for Michaela McAreavey murder, insanity trial hears

Date
2023-01-31

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Elphin

Summary

A 35-year-old man charged with the attempted murder of his former employer at a public house in Baldoyle has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity at the Central Criminal Court. The accused is alleged to have stabbed the manager of the Elphin Pub on the Baldoyle Road on 28 January 2021, inflicting 19 stab wounds across the victim's shoulders, chest and hands using three separate knives. The victim also sustained a serious cardiac injury requiring surgical intervention. During trial, the prosecution and defence agreed on the factual circumstances of the incident. Evidence heard indicated the accused, who formerly worked as a barman at the establishment, told gardaí he believed his former boss was responsible for an unsolved murder in Mauritius. The defence presented that the accused was experiencing psychotic delusions and paranoia in the weeks preceding the assault. Two medical reports for both prosecution and defence were to be considered regarding the accused's mental state at the time of the alleged offence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Barman stabbed former boss 19 times because he believed he was responsible for Michaela McAreavey murder, insanity trial hears. Charges or matters: the attempted murder of Paul Smith at The Elphin Pub on the Baldoyle Road in Sutton on January 28, 2021. Procedural stage: trial

When:

January 28, 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
2023-01-31 Publication

Why: A 35-year-old man stabbed his former employer 19 times "without warning" because the accused was having "psychotic delusions" and believed his boss was responsible for the murder of Michaela McAreavey, his trial at the Central Criminal Court has heard. CNI source report