Woman charged with murdering mother (76) pleads not guilty by reason of insanity

Alison O'Riordan

A woman has pleaded not guilty to murdering her 76-year-old mother in her home on the northside of Dublin over two years ago by reason of insanity.

Moire Bergin (47), with an address at Seville Place, Dublin 1, is charged with the murder of her mother, Mary Bergin, in her home on First Avenue, Seville Place on April 13th, 2022.

Ms Bergin was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on Monday on the single charge of murder.

When the registrar read the indictment to the accused and asked her how she was pleading, Ms Bergin replied: "Not guilty by reason of insanity."

Mr Justice Paul McDermott told the jury panel that Mary Bergin was the mother of Moire Bergin, and that the issue in the case concerned the state of mind of Moire Bergin at the time her mother was killed.

The judge said the issue the jury would have to determine related to the state of mind of Moire Bergin at the time of those events.

Mr Justice McDermott said the case would be "presented in short form as much of the facts of what happened are agreed as to how Mary Bergin came to meet her death".

He said Detective Sergeant John Brady from Store Street Garda station would give an outline of the facts of the case during the trial.

The judge said the jury would also hear evidence from two consultant forensic psychiatrists; Dr Stephen Monks and Dr Paul O'Connell.

A jury of six men and six women was sworn in to hear the trial, which is due to begin on Tuesday before Mr Justice McDermott.

The trial is expected to last up to two days.