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Murder accused would have been unable to refrain from his actions, jury told
Summary
In a 2016 trial, forensic psychiatrist Dr Conor O'Neill testified that James Redmond, 60, suffered from severe depressive episodes with psychotic symptoms and would have been unable to refrain from his actions. Redmond, charged with murdering Mary Dargan and attempting to murder Karina Dargan on 15 March 2014, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Dr O'Neill described Redmond's history of hearing voices, weight loss, and persecutory delusions, noting that he had been admitted to the Central Mental Hospital after a transfer from Cloverhill Prison. He diagnosed Redmond with psychotic depression, stating that Redmond was fit to be tried but would remain under treatment. The case was set to continue before Mr Justice Robert Eagar.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murder accused would have been unable to refrain from his actions, jury told. Charges or matters: murdering Mary Dargan and attempting to murder Karina Dargan at their home in Killinarden Estate on March 15, 2014. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity
When:
- March 15, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 19, 2014 Other
- March 26, 2014 Incident
- April 17, 2014 Other
- January 2014 Other
- October 2015 Other
- May 1, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- Christmas 2013 Other
- 2016-07-26 Publication
Why: In October 2015 Dr O'Neill was instructed by the DPP to assess Mr Redmond independently in order to see if he was fit to plead and if he was suffering from a mental disorder at the time. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: murdering Mary Dargan and attempting to murder Karina Dargan at their home in Killinarden Estate on March 15, 2014 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Central Mental Hospital
- Cloverhill Prison
- Dargan's house
- reported himself at Tallaght Garda Station
- Tallaght
Topics
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