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Murder accused reported hearing voices on same day awareness of insanity verdict was first recorded
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, consultant psychiatrist Dr Mary Davoren testified that the murder accused, Brian Ibe, first reported hearing voices more than a year after being remanded, on the same day his awareness of a possible not‑guilty‑by‑reason‑of‑insanity verdict was documented. Dr Davoren argued that Ibe's dis‑social personality disorder, not schizophrenia, explained his behaviour. She noted no evidence of hallucinations or psychosis at the time of the offence, only regular cannabis use. Ibe, 23, had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of 65‑year‑old Peter Kennedy and for assaulting Garda Brendan O'Donnell. Dr Davoren said Ibe's deliberate actions—traveling to Kildare, breaking in, stabbing Kennedy—showed intent and knowledge of wrongdoing, undermining a special verdict. The trial will continue before Justice Melanie Greally and a jury.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murder accused reported hearing voices on same day awareness of insanity verdict was first recorded. Charges or matters: murder by reason of insanity. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity
When:
- April 28, 2020 Incident
- May 12 Incident
- April 29, 2020 Incident
- Christmas 2019 Incident
- 2025-04-02 Publication
Why: His intention, he said, was to hurt someone and he: "knew that someone was Peter because that's who I was thinking about at the time. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: murder by reason of insanity (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity; The first time that he reported hearing voices, Dr Davoren said, was one year and 13 days after he was remanded to Cloverhill.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Moore Park
- Moore Park
- Dublin
- Brendan O'Donnell at Newbridge Garda Station
- Newbridge
- Cloverhill Prison
Topics
Drugs Stage Finding Violent Crime
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