Psychiatrists testify at McGahern murder trial

Dr O’Neill said he thought it interesting the only thing McGahern would say about the night Miss Farrell was killed was that he had not been influenced by anyone to kill her.

Brendan McGahern (aged 28) with an address at Corlismore in Co Cavan has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Amy Farrell at Glenlara, Cavan, on January 20, 2006, but guilty to her manslaughter by way of diminished responsibility.

The Director of Public Prosecution, represented by Mr Alex Owens SC, has refused to accept his plea.

The DPP closed its case yesterday afternoon.

Dr O’Neill said it appeared McGahern had significant learning disabilities and had aspects of anti-social personality disorder although he lacked the callousness also associated with the disorder as he felt for people like his family.

McGahern may try to please people of be easily influenced, Dr O’Neill told Mr David Kennedy SC, for the defence.

Under cross-examination by Mr Owens, Dr O’Neill confirmed he had explained to McGahern the elements of insanity and diminished responsibility.

McGahern had only given him answers in relation to some matters, mainly his family and background and refused to answer any questions about the night Miss Farrell was killed.

The only thing he would offer was to say he was not influenced by anyone else to kill her.

Dr O’Neill agreed it showed McGahern could act with determination and make choices.

Dr O’Neill agreed with Mr Owens McGahern’s actions in getting a knife before going to Miss Farrell’s home, asking her outside before he attacked her, leaving the scene, disposing his hooded sweatshirt after the killing, phoning his friend Brendan Kelly and going to find other friends in Cavan all showed elements of decision-making on the night in question.

From viewing Garda video interviews taken after the killing Dr O’Neill agreed it did not appear McGahern did not understand questions put to him.

Mr Owens said there was nothing to suggested McGahern was suffering from major psychosis on the night in question other than his life long learning disability which he had always had

“There would be nothing to indicate that his learning disability was in any way different on that evening to any other evening,” Dr O’Neill said.

Dr Paul O’Connoll, the final witness for the DPP also gave evidence.

Dr O’Connoll said the video interviews conducted with McGahern after Miss Farrell’s killing did not show McGahern acting in an obviously abnormal manner.

He appeared alert, attentive and aware of what was going on around him, choosing to answer some questions and not others put to him by gardaí.

“He maintained a very clear position in stating no comment,” Dr O’Connoll said.

He said the accused actions after the murder in walking into Cavan and disposing of his grey hooded sweatshirt were “goal-driven” showing purpose, rather than impulsive behaviour.

He agreed McGahern might have a tendency to fall in with the wrong crowd and said he probably found his relationship with these people rewarding, giving him a sense of belonging.

“To be part of a gang for someone bereft of friends can also be rewarding.”

The court has heard, gardaí suspected McGahern’s friend, Brendan Kelly, had put him up to killing Miss Farrell.

Kelly was sentenced to 16 months in prison the day before Miss Farrell was killed.

She had given evidence against him in the Virginia District Court after he assaulted her and stole two of her cars.

Mr Justice Paul Carney told the jury of eight men and four women they would hear closing addresses from the prosecution and defence tomorrow.

He said court would not be sitting on Friday, so they would not be sent out to consider their verdicts in the case until Monday.

The trial continues.