Murder accused ‘suffers paranoid schizophrenia’

A forensic psychiatrist has told a jury a murder accused suffering from “paranoid schizophrenia” did not have the “capacity to form intent” and “harboured a moral justification for his actions”.

Shane Smyth, aged 29, of McGuinness House, Evans Lane, Kilkenny, is charged with murdering Mairead Moran, 26, on May 8, 2014, at Market Cross Shopping Centre in Kilkenny City.

On Monday at the Central Criminal Court, Mr Smyth pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Moran by reason of insanity. Yesterday, forensic psychiatrist Brenda Wright was called to testify.

The court heard Mr Smyth’s first psychiatric admission was in 2007 when he said his mother was “evil”, she was “taking his powers and could read his thoughts”.

In 2004, he started to hear voices. In 2006, he got a diagnosis of “acute schizophrenic psychotic disorder”.

Dr Wright said he had begun a relationship with Ms Moran when he was 19 years old and she was 17 years old.

“He said the relationship ended after an argument but she visited him regularly when he was in hospital,” said Dr Wright.

The court heard that, in the months leading up to the attack on Ms Moran, Mr Smyth “became concerned that she was casting a magic spell on him”.

Dr Wright diagnosed Mr Smyth with “paranoid schizophrenia”, referring to symptoms such as “thought broadcasting”, “delusion of control”, and “persecutory delusions”.

The trial continues.