Courts / Roscommon / Report
Jury hears that man who stabbed his mother to death did not have capacity to form intent
Summary
A forensic psychiatrist has told the Central Criminal Court that a 29-year-old Roscommon man lacked the capacity to form intent when he stabbed his mother to death due to mental disorder. Paul Henry, of Ardsallagh, Athlone Road, Roscommon, pleaded not guilty to murdering Ann Henry at Abbeystown, Ballyphesan on 17 September 2011 by reason of insanity. Dr Brenda Wright, a prosecution psychiatrist, testified that Mr Henry suffered from paranoid schizophrenia characterised by delusions concerning his mother. The court heard Mr Henry believed his mother intended to have him killed and that he would himself be killed if he did not act. Dr Wright stated that Mr Henry did not understand the nature of his actions and was unable to refrain from them. The trial at the Central Criminal Court continues.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jury hears that man who stabbed his mother to death did not have capacity to form intent. 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: sentence
When:
- September 17, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 14 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 21 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 8 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 2014 Incident
- 2016-02-16 Publication
Why: A forensic psychiatrist has told a jury that a Roscommon man who stabbed his mother to death "did not have the capacity to form intent because of his mental disorder. CNI source report
Case subjects
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: Paul Henry was assessed again by a psychiatrist at the age of 20 and diagnosed with "a borderline intellectual disability." The court heard Paul Henry had a history of heavy drinking and experienced "alcoholic blackouts but no mood symptoms or psychosis." He served a 10-month sentence in prison at the age of 24 for a number of drink driving offences. Mr Henry's second prison sentence was for three months and he served most of that in Loughan House.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Loughan House
Topics
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