Courts / Dublin / Report
Woman who stabbed mother (76) to death days after hospital release found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity
Summary
Moire Bergin, aged 47, was found not guilty by reason of insanity after stabbing her 76‑year‑old mother, Mary Bergin, to death on 13 April 2022. The jury, after one hour and seven minutes of deliberation, accepted expert testimony from two forensic psychiatrists who diagnosed Moire with bipolar affective disorder, noting symptoms of mania, depression and psychosis at the time of the killing. They confirmed she did not understand the nature or moral wrongness of her act and could not refrain from it. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, concluded with a one‑day hearing. Judge Paul McDermott ordered Moire to be committed to the Central Mental Hospital for up to 14 days, with a psychiatric assessment to be prepared. The case highlighted her history of 16 detentions under the Mental Health Act and six admissions between March 2021 and April 2022. The verdict was delivered unanimously by a jury of six men and six women.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Woman who stabbed mother (76) to death days after hospital release found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity
When:
- April 13, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 6, 2021 Incident
- April 8, 2022 Incident
- July 16 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 2022 Incident
- 2024-07-03 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Places mentioned
- Seville Place
- First Avenue
- Seville Place
- Dublin street
- The Central Criminal Court
- Central Criminal Court
- interviews at Store Street Garda Station
- Store Street
- Central Mental Hospital
Topics
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