Woman on trial for murder as jury prepares to consider insanity verdict

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

A woman was on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of her three-year-old daughter. She cannot be named by order of the court. She had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The proceedings were reported on 23 October 2019.

Two consultant forensic psychiatrists gave evidence that she met the criteria for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Defence witness Dr Stephen Monks said on 23 October that she had severe depression with psychotic features and did not know the nature and quality of her act. He said she believed killing her daughter was her only option because she was convinced the child was profoundly disabled and had no future or quality of life.

Prosecution psychiatrist Dr Sally Linehan had given evidence on 22 October that the woman had recurrent depressive disorder. She said the accused did not know what she was doing was wrong and was unable to refrain from the act.

In his closing speech, prosecution counsel Paul Murray SC said the evidence led clearly and unequivocally to a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Defence counsel Patrick Gageby SC also asked the jury to return a verdict supported by the evidence.

Ms Justice Carmel Stewart had finished charging the jury, which was due to begin deliberating after lunch.