Mother admits suffocating daughter as murder trial opens

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

A mother who cannot be named by court order went on trial at the Central Criminal Court over the death of her three-year-old daughter. She pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murder. The proceedings were reported on 22 October 2019.

Defence counsel Patrick Gageby SC told the court that his client admitted suffocating her daughter with a pillow at the family home and calling emergency services afterwards. Prosecuting counsel Paul Murray SC said she called on 10 February 2018. Gageby said the child was pronounced dead on 13 February 2018.

Murray said two consultant psychiatrists considered that the woman was suffering from a mental disorder at the time and that the insanity defence was available. The trial was continuing before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury.