Courts / Mayo / Report
Psychiatrist gives evidence of garda murder accused's multiple hospital admissions
Summary
A psychiatrist has given evidence at the Central Criminal Court regarding the mental health history of Stephen Silver, aged 46, of Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, who is charged with the murder of Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on June 17, 2020. Dr Brenda Wright, interim clinical director at the Central Mental Hospital, testified about multiple hospital admissions spanning from 2010 to 2019, during which Mr Silver experienced psychotic episodes, paranoid delusions, and aggressive behaviour. Dr Wright told the jury that in interviews conducted after the shooting, Mr Silver described experiencing disturbed sleep, increased alcohol consumption, and paranoid thoughts in the days preceding the incident. Regarding the shooting itself, Mr Silver stated he believed he was struggling for his life and that Gda Horkan had a weapon. Dr Wright concluded that Mr Silver's mental capacity was significantly impaired at the time of the shooting. Mr Silver has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial continues before Ms Justice Tara Burns.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Psychiatrist gives evidence of garda murder accused's multiple hospital admissions. Charges or matters: the murder of Gda Horkan knowing or being reckless as to whether he was a member of An Garda Siochana acting in accordance with his duty at Castlerea, Co Roscommon on June 17, 2020; manslaughter and the jury have been told the main issue in the trial is Mr Silver's state of mind at the time of the shooting. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- June 17, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 19, 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 14, 2010 Incident
- March 19, 2010 Other
- April 25, 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 9, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 2, 2019 Other
- September 2020 Incident
- 2023-03-01 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: the murder of Gda Horkan knowing or being reckless as to whether he was a member of An Garda Siochana acting in accordance with his duty at Castlerea, Co Roscommon on June 17, 2020; manslaughter and the jury have been told the main issue in the trial is Mr Silver's state of mind at the time of the shooting (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Accused
Charges: the murder of Gda Horkan knowing or being reckless as to whether he was a member of An Garda Siochana acting in accordance with his duty at Castlerea, Co Roscommon on June 17, 2020; manslaughter and the jury have been told the main issue in the trial is Mr Silver's state of mind at the time of the shooting (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Central Mental Hospital
- the gardaí. At the garda station
Topics
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