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Domestic abuser who murdered wife says psychiatrist should not have been allowed reference history of violence

Summary

Alan Ward, 56, was convicted of murdering his wife Catherine Doyle, 41, by stabbing her on 1 March 2019. He pleaded diminished responsibility, claiming a stroke in 2017 had caused a mental disorder. At trial, the State's psychiatrist, Dr Damian Smith, referenced Ward's history of violence and argued alcohol intoxication was the likely cause of the murder, while the defence psychiatrist, Dr Paul O'Connell, acknowledged a brain injury and PTSD but declined to opine on the ultimate issue of diminished responsibility. Ward's appeal argues that Dr Smith should not have been allowed to give opinion evidence on the ultimate issue, as this should be decided by the jury. The Court of Appeal will reserve judgment on the appeal. The article reports the trial facts and the appeal's legal contentions but does not state any outcome of the appeal.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Domestic abuser who murdered wife says psychiatrist should not have been allowed reference history of violence. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

• March 1, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2024-02-28 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report