Courts / Dublin / Report

Jury asked to consider ill health of man accused of murdering Dublin granddad in "most horrific of circumstances"

Date
2016-02-03

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Skerries

County
Dublin

Summary

A jury was instructed to consider the ill health of Dragos Nica, 30, who was accused of murdering his neighbour's father, Michael Gannon, 55, in Skerries, Co Dublin on 14 November 2013. Nica, of Mourne Park, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The court heard that Gannon was babysitting his daughter Jade's children and a neighbour's child when a child reported a man looking in the living‑room window. Gannon opened the door and was stabbed to death. Nica claimed he had been deliberately poisoned by Jade Gannon and was "freaked out". Prosecutor Mr Patrick Treacy SC described Nica as remorseful and cited two psychiatrists who agreed that Nica was suffering from an acute psychosis of schizophrenia at the time of the stabbing. Defence counsel Jonathan Kilfeather SC argued that the case was not a typical criminal trial, emphasising the insanity defence and the experts' agreement that Nica meets the requirements for a special verdict.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury asked to consider ill health of man accused of murdering Dublin granddad in "most horrific of circumstances". Procedural stage: trial

When: