Courts / Mayo / Report

Murder accused said he was delusional when he killed his mother

Date
2014-01-30

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Castlebar

County
Mayo

Summary

A 22-year-old man from Castlebar has admitted manslaughter but denies murder in connection with the death of his mother at their home in Derrycrieve, Islandeady on 9 March 2011. The Central Criminal Court heard that the accused disputed suggestions he killed his mother after she destroyed his drugs, instead claiming he acted while delusional. Detective Garda Róisín Loftus gave evidence of interviews conducted the day after the 46-year-old woman was found with multiple stab wounds. The court was told forensic analysis identified methamphetamine residue in charred packaging recovered from the family home. The accused stated he had consumed prescription medication and amphetamine in the hours before the incident and believed his medication had been tampered with. Medical evidence previously presented indicated he received a diagnosis of acute psychotic episode secondary to polysubstance abuse following his arrest. The trial before Mr Justice Paul Carney and jury continues. The unnamed 22-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused said he was delusional when he killed his mother. Charges or matters: her murder at that address on March 9, 2011. Procedural stage: trial

When:

March 9, 2011 Other
March 9th Incident
2014-01-30 Publication

Why: A 22-year-old Mayo man denied killing his mother because she had destroyed his drugs, but said he did it because he was delusional. CNI source report