Courts / Roscommon / Report

Man who stabbed ex boss 19 times should be found not guilty by reason of insanity, psychiatrists tell jury

Summary

A 35-year-old man charged with the attempted murder of a pub manager in Baldoyle has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity at the Central Criminal Court. The accused is alleged to have stabbed the victim 19 times at The Elphin Pub on Baldoyle Road on 28 January 2021. Two forensic psychiatrists giving evidence for the prosecution and defence have told the jury that the accused was experiencing profound psychosis at the time of the alleged incident. Both experts diagnosed the man with a psychotic disorder and testified that severe delusions—including false beliefs about the victim's involvement in an unsolved murder—had severely impaired his judgement. The psychiatrists stated that his condition would have prevented him from understanding the nature of his actions. Both doctors recommended that a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity should be considered. The prosecution and defence have agreed on the facts of the case, with the jury to determine whether the requisite intent was present. The unnamed 35-year-old was acquitted.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man who stabbed ex boss 19 times should be found not guilty by reason of insanity, psychiatrists tell jury. 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: finding. Findings: Acquitted

When:

• January 28, 2021 Incident
• September 2020 Other
• August 2022 Incident
• September 2021 Other
• 2023-02-01 Publication

Why: A 35-year-old man accused of attempted murder was "profoundly psychotic" when he stabbed his former boss 19 times because he thought he was responsible for Michaela McAreavey's murder, his trial at the Central Criminal Court has heard. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Finding Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report