Courts / Dublin / Report

Murder accused who killed girlfriend had 'history of non-compliance' with medication, jury hears

Date
2025-12-10

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Suzanne Mangan, the accused in the murder trial of Maud Coffey, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The Central Criminal Court jury heard that the 53-year-old man admitted to killing his girlfriend at the Horizon Building in Ashtown, Dublin 15, on January 13, 2023. Prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC stated that the accused told gardai he killed Ms Coffey, referencing "the devil, the bible and to the killing of Lucifer." Ms Coffey, 41, died from asphyxia and sharp force trauma. The prosecution noted the accused had a history of non-compliance with medication for mental health conditions, including schizoaffective disorder. While the defense's psychiatrist argued the accused met criteria for insanity, the State's consultant forensic psychiatrist, Dr Richard Church, opined the disorder's severity entitled the jury to consider diminished responsibility rather than a full finding of insanity. The defense, represented by Patrick Gageby SC, made formal admissions that the accused killed Ms Coffey. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury of seven men and five women.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused who killed girlfriend had 'history of non-compliance' with medication, jury hears. Procedural stage: trial

When:

January 13, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
January 11, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
2025-12-10 Publication

Why: "They fairly immediately had concerns about his mental health and safety because of the way he was behaving; it was aggressive and somewhat irrational". CNI source report