Psychiatric issue in case of Somali national accused of Mary Ward murder has 'melted away', court hears

Alison O'Riordan

A psychiatric issue in the case of a Somali national accused of murdering his former partner, Mary Ward, in Belfast nearly two years ago has "melted away", and the trial is now ready to proceed, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

In June last year, Justice Paul McDermott said the court had received a report on 33-year-old Ahmed Abdirahman, which indicated that there was “quite a serious issue related to mental health” in the case.

The matter has come before the courts on a number of occasions, with defence lawyers informing Justice McDermott that the accused had failed to engage with a psychiatrist who had attempted to see him.

Abdirahman, originally from Somalia and with a last address at Kinlay House, Lord Edward Street, Dublin 2, is accused of murdering young mother Ward on September 25th, 2024, at her house on Melrose Street in south Belfast.

Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Garret Baker, on Wednesday told Justice McDermott that a psychiatric report was being considered by the defence when the case was last mentioned before the court.

Abdirahman was expected to stand trial in February of this year but that date was vacated last January, when the prosecution told the court that there was “no reality” to the trial proceeding as planned, as the defence psychiatric report had yet to be completed.

Oisin Clarke, defending, said at the time that there was “a protracted history” to the case, as the accused “remained mute and wouldn’t communicate with anyone”. Counsel said that some progress was later made, with the accused having spoken to a psychiatrist on one occasion.

When the case was mentioned before Justice McDermott on Wednesday for an update on the progress of the psychiatrist's report, Mr Baker said the case was "ready to go" and that the "psychiatric issue" had "melted away".

Defence counsel told the judge that "issues previously raised" were no longer being progressed and they were seeking a date for the trial, which is expected to last three weeks.

Justice McDermott said that, as there was no issue in relation to the accused's fitness to be tried, the matter was ready for trial. He listed the case for mention on July 3rd and said he would give it as early a trial date as possible on that date.