Stephen Silver’s murder trial reaches defence closing speech

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

Stephen Silver’s defence urged the Central Criminal Court jury not to convict him of murder, in a closing speech reported on 9 November 2022.

Roisin Lacey SC argued that evidence from consultant psychiatrist Dr Brenda Wright supported a finding that Silver’s responsibility was diminished by a relapse of bipolar affective disorder. The prosecution’s psychiatrist, Professor Harry Kennedy, had disagreed, saying Silver’s mental capacity was intact at the time of the killing.

Silver had pleaded not guilty to murdering Detective Garda Colm Horkan and guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.