Jury at murder trial told Louth woman suffered mental disorder

A consultant forensic psychiatrist in the trial of a 42-year-old Louth woman charged with murdering her partner last year has told a murder trial jury that in her expert opinion, the mental disorder suffered by the accused, substantially diminished her responsibility of stabbing the deceased.

Paula Farrell with an address at Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, Co Louth is charged with murdering Wayne McQuillan (30) at her home on January 1, 2014.

Two weeks ago at the Central Criminal Court, Ms Farrell pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr McQuillan.

Called to give evidence earlier this week by defence counsel Mr Derek Kenneally SC, the mother of three told the jury that she was sexually abused by a named man from the age of seven and did not tell anyone about it until she was 14 years of age.

Ms Farrell also previously gave evidence that she took to drinking at 14 years of age to "block" out being sexually abused for seven years as a child.

Qualified medical practitioner and consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Brenda Wright told the jury of seven women and five men today that she was asked by Ms Farrell's solicitor Mr Patrick Goodwin to meet with his client and make an assessment of her for the purpose of preparing a psychiatric report.

Dr Wright told the court she met with Ms Farrell on two occasions, June 3 and June 12 2015.

Mr Kenneally put it to the witness if she asked the accused why she didn't mention the incident of sexual violence in garda interviews?

"She just didn't want to believe what happened that night," replied Dr Wright.

Dr Wright told the court that Ms Farrell displayed features of post-traumatic stress disorder. The expert witness said the accused became distressed and tearful when she was exposed to circumstances associated with sexual abuse and consequently found it extremely difficult to speak about it.

"And her use of alcohol was an avoidance strategy for her so she wouldn't have to deal with it," added Dr Wright.

Mr Kenneally then asked Dr Wright if Ms Farrell suffered from a mental disorder?

"It’s my opinion she has a mental disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder," replied Dr Wright but added that she found Ms Farrell fit to be tried.

"Is it fair to say you didn't find any evidence to support an argument that Ms Farrell was not guilty by reason of insanity?," asked the barrister.

"That’s correct," replied Dr Wright.

"In your expert opinion was the mental disorder suffered by Paula Farrell such as to diminish substantially her responsibility for the acts of stabbing Wayne McQuillan?" asked the barrister.

"Yes. It is my opinion that her mental disorder impaired her from being unable to exercise self-control," replied Dr Wright.

Mr Kenneally then asked Dr Wright in regard to the issue of intoxication in diminished responsibility, what consideration did she give to this?

"I have considered this and Ms Farrell consumed approx 20-24 units of alcohol over a period of 9 hours and was intoxicated at the time of the incident," replied Dr Wright.

Prosecution counsel Mr Gerard Clarke SC then cross examined the witness and asked her from a psychiatric point of view was there any explanation for not saying what happened after a person died and after one explains themselves for two days to gardai?

"From a psychiatric point of view its understandable she didn't want to believe it or process that the man she was in a relationship with had assaulted her in that way," replied Dr Wright.

Mr Clarke then put it to the doctor that in her opinion Ms Farrell has a mental illness which is post-traumatic stress disorder and do people with post-traumatic stress disorder generally engage in violent behaviour?

“Post-traumatic stress disorder is associated with violent and aggressive behaviour yes" replied the doctor.

In the afternoon consultant clinical psychologist Dr Kevin Lambe continued giving evidence through video link from the US and told the court he did a psychological testing of her in their third consultation.

"I placed the defendants IQ at 70 which places her at the borderline range of mild intellectual disability. A person with an IQ score in this range would have difficulties making good judgements in various life situations," said Dr Lambe.

"98 per cent of people within Ms Farrell's age group would be more intelligent than her.

I was satisfied she met the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder which arises when someone is affected by a serious stressful situation," added Dr Lambe.

Mr Kenneally put it to the witness if her disorder diminished substantially her acts in this trial?

"It substantially affected her mental and emotional processes as she lacked the capacity to appreciate the criminality of her conduct and as a result of her symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder her ability to control her behaviour was diminished substantially," said the doctor.

Mr Clarke then put it to Dr Lambe if there was any relationship between a low IQ and criminal behaviour?

"No" replied the witness.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy on Monday morning.