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Man found not guilty of murdering Dublin grandad by reason of insanity is committed to CMH

Summary

Dragos Nica, 30, of Skerries, was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of 55‑year‑old Michael Gannon on 14 November 2013. The jury heard that Gannon was babysitting children when Nica stabbed him after a child reported a man looking in the living‑room window. Nica claimed he had been deliberately poisoned by Gannon's daughter, Jade. Dr Sally Linehan, a psychiatrist, testified that Nica suffers from paranoid schizophrenia characterised by delusions and hallucinations, and that he is polite and well‑kempt during interviews. Mr Nica denied feeling depressed but continued to express abnormal beliefs. Justice Tony Hunt ordered Nica's commitment to the Central Mental Hospital, noting that treatment must be supervised and that the verdict was the only available option for the jury. The decision was made without impact evidence from the victim's family.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man found not guilty of murdering Dublin grandad by reason of insanity is committed to CMH. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity

When:

• November 14th, 2013 Incident
• 2016-02-15 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Finding Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report