Courts / Roscommon / Report

Mother was "prepared to sacrifice her own happiness and her marriage" for son who killed her, jury told

Date
2016-02-16

Stage
Finding

Primary locality
Roscommon

Summary

A man from Roscommon has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his mother by reason of insanity at the Central Criminal Court. Paul Henry, aged 29, is charged with stabbing Ann Henry to death at Abbeystown, Ballyphesan in Roscommon town on 17 September 2011. During the trial, forensic psychiatrist Dr Brenda Wright gave evidence that she had diagnosed Mr Henry with paranoid schizophrenia, characterised by delusions that his mother and others were conspiring to harm him. Dr Wright told the court that Mr Henry believed his mother intended to have him killed and that he would be killed if he did not kill her first. Both prosecution and defence counsels submitted to the jury that the evidence supported a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. The prosecution noted that medical staff at the Central Mental Hospital supported this assessment. The jury commenced deliberations following the judge's charge.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Mother was "prepared to sacrifice her own happiness and her marriage" for son who killed her, jury told. 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: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity

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
2013 to 2016 Incident
2016-02-16 Publication

Why: " Dr Wright said at the time Mr Henry did not have the capacity to form intent because of his mental disorder. CNI source report

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

Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity

Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity