Courts / Dublin / Report

Woman who stabbed mother (76) to death days after hospital release to remain in CMH

Date
2024-07-16
Stage
Finding
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 47‑year‑old woman, Ms. Moire Bergin, was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of her 76‑year‑old mother, Mary Bergin, who was stabbed to death on 13 April 2022. The jury accepted evidence from two consultant forensic psychiatrists that Ms. Bergin suffered from bipolar affective disorder with mania, depression and psychosis at the time of the killing, meeting the three criteria for the special verdict under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. Ms. Bergin had been admitted to hospital six times between March 2021 and April 2022 and was released five days before the murder. A Central Criminal Court judge, Mr Justice Paul McDermott, ordered that she remain in the Central Mental Hospital for ongoing treatment, following a report by Dr Ronan Mullaney that she continues to suffer from a mental disorder. The case was prosecuted by James Dwyer SC and defended by Fiona Murphy SC.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Woman who stabbed mother (76) to death days after hospital release to remain in CMH. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity

When:

Case subjects

Unnamed accused

Accused

Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity

Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity

Places mentioned

Facility
  • Central Mental Hospital
Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
  • The Central Criminal Court
Residence
  • Seville Place
Secondary Mention
Address Area
  • First Avenue
  • Seville Place
  • Dublin street
Garda Station
  • interviews at Store Street Garda Station
  • Store Street

Topics

Stage Finding Violent Crime

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