Garda murder accused had assaulted psychiatric unit staff nine months before shooting

Stephen Silver had been admitted to psychiatric units 17 times prior to the shooting, the court heard

At his first interview, eight weeks after the shooting, Dr Brenda Wright said Stephen Silver (pictured) was "extremely remorseful" but still believed that there had been "some conspiracy or threat planned towards him". File picture

Murder accused Stephen Silver assaulted staff members of a psychiatric unit nine months before he shot Detective Garda Colm Horkan 11 times, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

Dr Brenda Wright told Mr Silver's trial on Friday that Mr Silver had been admitted to psychiatric units 17 times prior to the shooting, going back to 1997. She detailed voluntary and involuntary admissions which, she said, occurred after Mr Silver had stopped taking his medication.