‘Sad case’ of son who stabbed his mother to death

A Roscommon man who stabbed his mother to death is a “very sad case” as this “was obviously a loving mother who loved her son dearly and was prepared to sacrifice her own happiness and her marriage”, a jury has heard.

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

He has pleaded not guilty to murder by reason of insanity.

Forensic psychiatrist Brenda Wright told the court yesterday that she met with the accused on three occasions and he told her that, two years prior to his mother’s death, he had thought the world of her.

When Dr Wright interviewed Mr Henry’s father, he told him his late wife was “never willing to accept Paul was unwell” and no matter what he did “she was prepared to forgive him”.

The court heard the parents separation two to three years prior to Ms Henry’s death was “largely down to their different approach managing their son’s behaviour”.

Dr Wright diagnosed the accused with “paranoid schizophrenia”, which is characterised by “delusions and negative symptoms”.

She said his delusion was in part related to his mother and “he thought she and others were conspiring to harm him”.

Dr Wright said at the time Mr Henry did not have the capacity to form intent because of his mental disorder.

“Mr Henry did not know the nature or quality of his act and misunderstood the quality of his actions,” said Dr Wright. “He believed his mother intended to have him killed, he believed if he did not kill his mother that he himself would be killed. He felt he had to proceed with her death.”

Dr Wright believed Mr Henry was unable to refrain from his actions and could identify no alternative form of action.

In her closing speech, Ms Biggs told the jury that the views of the two forensic psychiatrists are “wholly supported” by the doctors who treat Mr Henry at the Central Mental Hospital.

Counsel said Mr Henry’s mental health “deteriorated rapidly” upon his release from prison 18 months before the attack.

“In looking at the facts and the evidence produced to you, you can derive comfort from the fact, that from the examinations and all the collateral history from 2013 to 2016, Paul Henry was resolute in his views that his mother had tried to kill him,” said Ms Biggs.

Counsel told the jury that the DPP supports the verdict of “not guilty by reason of insanity” which is the one supported by the evidence.

“If retuned it will provide the optimum safety for society,” she said.

Defence counsel Mr Colm Smyth told the jury that both the prosecution and defence were “singing off the same hymn sheet”.

“His difficulties evolved into schizophrenia which was described by the two psychiatrists as a psychotic illness,” he said.

Mr Smyth said this has been a “very sad case” as this “was obviously a loving mother who loved her son dearly and was prepared to sacrifice her own happiness and her marriage.”

The court heard that both doctors were “satisfied that he knew what he was doing was wrong and couldn’t refrain from doing what he did.”

“Even in the middle of the act of stabbing his mother he felt compelled to complete it as if he didn’t he felt he would be killed by his mother. Unfortunately Paul still has those delusional beliefs,” said counsel.

Mr Smyth called it an “usual case” as one would usually have parties in a case contending “for different versions” but in this case “we are all on the one ship”.

“I am urging upon you to come back with a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity,” he said.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt then charged they jury before it was sent out to begin deliberations. The jury spent just under an hour deliberating before being sent home for the evening.