Courts / Roscommon / Report

Man stabbed mother to death month after he was released from mental health hospital

Date
2016-02-15

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Roscommon

Summary

A Roscommon man pleaded not guilty to murdering his mother by reason of insanity at the Central Criminal Court on 15 February 2016. Paul Henry, aged 29, is charged with stabbing his mother Ann Henry to death at Abbeystown, Ballyphesan on 17 September 2011, approximately one month after his release from psychiatric hospital. The accused has admitted killing his mother. The court heard that Ms Henry sustained ten stab wounds, including injuries to her thoracic aorta and right lung. Evidence indicated Mr Henry had been involuntarily committed to hospital in July 2011 but was released after a Mental Health Tribunal determined he did not meet detention criteria. Defence and prosecution psychiatrists are expected to testify that the accused was suffering from a mental disorder at the time, with the defence consultant suggesting delusional disorder or schizophrenia. The trial continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man stabbed mother to death month after he was released from mental health hospital. Charges or matters: murdering his mother Ann Henry at Abbeystown, Ballyphesan in Roscommon town on September 17, 2011; murdering Ms Henry by reason of insanity. Procedural stage: trial

When:

September 17, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
September 17 2011 Incident
July 2011 Other
September 23, 2011 Incident
September 17 Incident
September 18 Adjournment
August 2011 Incident
September 12, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
March 4 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
January 13 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
2016-02-15 Publication

Case subjects

Paul Henry

Accused

Charges: murdering his mother Ann Henry at Abbeystown, Ballyphesan in Roscommon town on September 17, 2011; murdering Ms Henry by reason of insanity (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: After a consultant psychiatrist was called to the garda station, Mr Henry was remanded to the CMH and on September 18 he was formally charged.