Lawyers for man who killed his grandmother in Cork keen for judge to finalise case

They are eager for 'proper psychiatric care' to be put in place for him

Judge Helen Boyle agreed on Monday to put the case into the list on Friday, May 1, for mention for a suitable date when Judge Behan would be available to finalise it. File picture: Larry Cummins

Lawyers for the young man facing sentencing for the manslaughter of his grandmother are keen to have the matter finalised so that “proper psychiatric care” can be put in place for him.

Jane Hyland, defence senior counsel, said all of the psychiatric reports that were directed by Judge Sinéad Behan were now available and sentencing was ready to proceed. Prosecution barrister Paul McCarthy confirmed that the sentencing evidence had been heard.

Judge Helen Boyle agreed on Monday to put the case into the list on Friday, May 1, for mention for a suitable date when Judge Behan would be available to finalise it.

Brian Nnamdi Ogbo pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his grandmother at the family home in Carrigaline one year ago. 

Ms Hyland said: “This is a tragedy for the family and also a tragedy for Mr Ogbo (the accused).”  Detective Garda Tom Delaney who investigated the case said: “I would agree with that.” 

Rather than presenting victim impact evidence, the mother and sister of the accused man presented references on his behalf, testifying to his high level of intelligence, sensitive nature, diagnosed schizophrenia and the care that he had shown for his grandmother over many years.

Brian Nmandi has been in custody since he caused his 82-year-old grandmother’s death by dragging her down the stairs causing her to fall and go down head first. 

While not initially admitted to hospital her condition later required hospitalisation and she died as a result of her injuries sustained on February 23, 2025, at the family home at 17 Garrydhu Drive, Carrigaline, County Cork.

Det. Sergeant Simon Grace and Det. Garda Delaney later questioned him. He stated: “I got angry. Started breaking things. I lost my cool. I took a knife, but I didn't stab anybody. 

"I went upstairs to my granny. She was in the toilet. She told me she couldn't open it. I broke the door, dragged her out, dragged her down the stairs. She fell down the stairs and got up. I locked her out of the house.” 

He was asked how he dragged his grandmother down the stairs, and he said by the arm, he later clarified. 

“I can remember she was going face down, face first, down the stairs… I threw her across the room. She fell. She fell, head first on the floor. She was facing the ceiling. I dragged her by the hand down the stairs.

Dr Heidi Okkers, state pathologist, concluded that the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head as a result of being pulled down the stairs.