Courts / Dublin / Report

Man who killed neighbour and shot her daughter in the head found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity

Summary

James Redmond, 60, of Killinarden Estate, Tallaght, Dublin 24, was found not guilty by reason of insanity of murdering Mary Dargan and attempting to murder Karina Dargan at their home on March 15, 2014. Redmond pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to both charges at the Central Criminal Court. The jury returned majority verdicts of not guilty on both counts after four hours and five minutes of deliberation. The court heard that Redmond allegedly jumped over a back wall with a shotgun, shooting Mary Dargan dead and Karina Dargan in the head. Two consultant forensic psychiatrists testified that Redmond was suffering from severe depressive episodes with psychotic symptoms, rendering him unable to refrain from his actions. Justice Robert Eagar committed Redmond to the Central Mental Hospital and ordered him to be brought back before the court at 9am the following day for a psychiatric assessment. The matter was adjourned for this purpose. Redmond expressed his sorrow for his actions and the devastating consequences for the Dargan family. Victim impact statements were read on behalf of the Dargan children and Karina Dargan, who described her ongoing fear and trauma. The judge exempted the jury from further service for five years.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man who killed neighbour and shot her daughter in the head found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity. 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
• March 15 Incident
• March 15 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• March 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• March 16 Hearing Or Sentence
• March 16, 2014 Incident
• January 15 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 26 2014 Other
• October 2015 Other
• May 1, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2016-07-28 Publication

Why: The court heard that Gda Kildea asked Mr Redmond what had happened and he replied: "I did the shooting, I shot the other lady Mary because she has been going around calling me a paedophile and that my wife is a whore and my daughter a hard-core porn star. Court evidence reported by CNI

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Stage Finding Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report