Courts / Wicklow / Report

Wicklow man beat mother to death after home move distress

Date
2016-05-26

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Bray

County
Wicklow

Summary

In a 2016 hearing at the Central Criminal Court, Bijan Afshar, aged 23, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of his mother, Lynn Cassidy, at their Deepdales home in Bray on 26 or 27 June 2014. Dr Brenda Wright, a forensic psychiatrist, testified that Afshar, who has autism with depression, had no control over his actions when he beat his mother to death. She explained that the impending sale of the family house, following his parents' separation, caused him extreme distress and that he believed his only options were to stop the sale or kill himself. Dr Wright described his late‑diagnosed autism, his obsessive behaviours, and his poor emotional regulation, concluding that he was unable to refrain from the assault due to his mental disorder. The prosecution, represented by Dr Ronan Mullaney, agreed with this assessment. The case was set to continue before Justice Isobel Kennedy and a jury of twelve.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Wicklow man beat mother to death after home move distress. Procedural stage: trial

When:

June 26 Hearing Or Sentence
2016-05-26 Publication

Why: An autistic man beat his mother to death because he couldn't cope with the stress of moving home, the Central Criminal Court has heard. CNI source report