Courts / Meath / Report
Man with no history of mental illness found not guilty of murdering 'devoted' partner by reason of insanity
Summary
Andrei Dobra, 36, was found not guilty by reason of insanity for strangling his fiancée, Ioana Mihaela Pacala, on 12 November 2022. The jury, after 1 hour 44 minutes, accepted that Dobra suffered a psychotic episode that made him believe Pacala threatened him and that he did not know his act was wrong. Two consultant psychiatrists, Dr Brenda Wright and Prof Patricia Casey, diagnosed Dobra with schizoaffective psychosis and a major depressive episode with psychotic symptoms. Dobra had no prior mental‑health or criminal history and had lived a stable, normal life, working as a security guard and administrator. He was remanded to the National Forensic Mental Health Services Hospital in Portrane for assessment. The case highlighted the tragic loss of a young life and the impact of untreated mental illness.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man with no history of mental illness found not guilty of murdering 'devoted' partner by reason of insanity. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity
When:
- November 12, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 19 Adjournment
- 2024-07-08 Publication
Why: Ms Devan brought the accused to a GP some days prior to the killing because he was complaining of feeling depressed and unwell. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity; Ms Justice Melanie Greally exempted them from further jury duty for five years. "This case centres on the loss of a very young life that was full of promise," she told the jury. "So all our sympathies go to her family." Ms Justice Greally remanded Mr Dobra to the National Forensic Mental Health Services Hospital in Portrane.
Places mentioned
- Fairyhouse Road
- National Forensic Mental Health Services Hospital
- Cappagh Hospital
Topics
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