Man 'diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia' admits manslaughter of his grandmother in Cork

Cork Circuit Criminal Court was told the accused had been 'particularly attached to his granny'

Judge Boyle adjourned sentencing until February 19, 2026, with the accused remanded in continuing custody until then. File picture: Larry Cummins

A 38-year-old man confessed on Tuesday to the unlawful killing of his grandmother in Carrigaline in February.

Brian Nnamdi Ogbo appeared at Cork Circuit Criminal Court where he was arraigned on the manslaughter charge. The man, dressed in a grey tracksuit, white runners and a red anorak, replied: “Guilty”.

Jane Hyland, defence senior counsel, said it was a tragic case where the accused had been “particularly attached to his granny but he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. At the time of the offence he did not have access to his depot injection and he was unwell.

“I have a psychiatric report that he was fit to plead. This report was written in September. He has deteriorated since then. But even so, I am satisfied he does have the capacity to give instructions and to enter the plea he has entered today.” 

The defence senior counsel asked for a probation report and a pre-sentencing psychiatric report to be prepared on the accused and for free legal aid to be extended for the psychiatric report.

“In the circumstances it is appropriate it would go back to February for those steps to be put in place in this very tragic situation,” Ms Hyland said.

Judge Boyle said: “He is suffering from a recognised mental illness. I extend legal aid for a psychiatric report. I also direct a probation report.”  Judge Boyle adjourned sentencing until February 19, 2026, with the accused remanded in continuing custody until then.

Case background

The charge states that on February 25, 2025, at 17 Garrydhu Drive, Kilmoney Road, Carrigaline, County Cork, he did unlawfully kill Stella Ejiatu Nnadi, contrary to Common Law. He was living at that address at the time.

Detective Garda Tom Delaney testified when the case first came to court that family members informed gardaí that Brian Ogbo suffers from schizophrenia and that he allegedly produced a knife during the assault.

“It was alleged that he broke into the upstairs bathroom where his grandmother was located and that he dragged her out of the bathroom. He dragged her downstairs. She was off her feet and being dragged headfirst down the stairs and pushed out of the house.

“Nobody required hospitalisation at the time of the occurrence. However, Stella Nnamdi deteriorated and was subsequently taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital on Tuesday, February 25, and died later that afternoon,” Det. Garda Delaney said.