Courts / Meath / Report

Well-educated man with no history of mental illness strangled fiancée during psychotic episode, jury hears

Date
2024-07-05

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Ratoath

County
Meath

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a psychiatrist testified that Andrei Dobra, a 36‑year‑old man with no prior violence or mental illness, strangled his fiancée Ioana Mihaela Pacala, 30, during a psychotic episode. Dobra, who had two university degrees and worked as an administrator and security guard, had planned to marry Pacala on 10 June 2023. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The psychiatrist described Dobra as courteous and respectful, deeply regretting the act, and noted he had no history of mental health service use. She reported that in the months before the killing he experienced stress, anxiety, fleeting thoughts, and delusions that Pacala's family would prevent their marriage and that a spirit was in the house. She diagnosed him with schizoaffective psychosis and concluded he met the threshold for a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial continues before Justice Melanie Greally and a jury of twelve.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Well-educated man with no history of mental illness strangled fiancée during psychotic episode, jury hears. Procedural stage: trial

When: