Man (60) found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity

James Redmond killed his neighbour in her kitchen and attempted to kill her daughter

A 60-year-old man who shot dead a mother-of-six and injured her daughter as they sat drinking tea in their kitchen has been found not guilty of murder and attempted murder by reason of insanity.

James Redmond (60), with an address at Killinarden Estate, Tallaght, Dublin 24, was charged with murdering Mary Dargan and attempting to murder Karina Dargan at their home in Killinarden Estate on March 15th, 2014.

Mr Redmond pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the two charges at the Central Criminal Court.

Prosecution counsel, Ms Pauline Walley SC, told the jury that both families were neighbours and had lived "peacefully and amicably side-by-side" in the Killinarden Estate for many years.

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She said Mr Redmond had become depressed some months earlier and he wrongly believed Karina Dargan was “chanting” that he was a paedophile and that that claim was being made about him in the community.

It was established during the trial that there was “no substance or truth” to these allegations, nor any basis in reality for them.

On March 15th, Mr Redmond left his home, jumped over the back wall with a shotgun and then shot Mary Dargan dead.

Her daughter Karina was also shot in the head, but survived.

‘Severe depressive episodes’

Two consultant forensic psychiatrists gave evidence that Mr Redmond was suffering from “severe depressive episodes with psychotic symptoms” and would have been unable to refrain from his actions.

They both said that he met the requirements for the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.

On Thursday, after a period of four hours and five minutes deliberating, a jury of seven men and five women returned majority verdicts of not guilty on both counts.

Mr Justice Robert Eagar then made an order committing Mr Redmond to go to the Central Mental Hospital and to be brought back before the court at 9am on Friday.

The judge also directed the preparation of a psychiatric assessment.