Man released from psych unit kills mum

A man stabbed his mother to death the month after a mental health tribunal decided he did not fulfil the criteria to be detained at a psychiatric unit, a jury has heard.

Paul Henry, aged 29, of Ardsallagh, Athlone Rd, Roscommon, is charged with murdering his mother, Ann Henry, at Abbeystown, Ballyphesan, Roscommon Town, on September 17, 2011.

At the Central Criminal Court yesterday, Mr Henry pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Henry by reason of insanity.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt told the jury that this trial is of a “slightly unusual variety” and the plea offered is “not one against which either party will be arguing.”

At the beginning of the trial, Colm Smyth, defending, told the court that his client admitted he killed his mother.

Caroline Biggs, prosecuting, said she would call Detective Inspector Pat Finley to

”summarise evidence by a vast number of witnesses and none of it is in dispute. You will have to decide the state of mind of Mr Henry on that day.”

Ms Biggs said on September 17, 2011, it is alleged Paul Henry “fatally assaulted” his mother by stabbing her in her house at The Spinney, Abbeytown, Roscommon.

Ms Biggs told the court that from an early age Mr Henry presented with “very significant difficulties”. Mr Henry was initially diagnosed with ADHD which progressed into more serious diagnoses in later life.

At 2pm on September 17, the gardaí received a 999 call saying there was a violent assault taking place and Mr Henry was arrested.

Det Insp Finley agreed with counsel that there had been “disturbed behaviour” and a “number of events that preceded the assault”, including Ms Henry asking a doctor to admit her son as “a voluntary patient to Roscommon psychiatric unit.”

The court heard that, 21 days after Paul Henry had been admitted to the hospital, he was released in August 2011 as “a result of a decision by a mental health tribunal”.

“The tribunal found he did not fulfil the criteria to be detained in a mental hospital,” said Ms Biggs.

On September 23, 2011, the accused was deemed “unfit to attend court” and committed to the Central Mental Hospital where he was assessed by two consultant psychiatrists.

“Both of the consultant psychiatrists take the view that the accused had a mental disorder and from a clinical perspective he ought not to be held responsible,” said counsel.

The trial continues.