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One News: Conor Mark Kavanagh reports that a 49-year-old Cork woman has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of her daughter in July 2006
Mary Prendergast was charged with murder following a garda investigation into the cause of death of her daughter Jessica who was found downstairs in their home with multiple stab wounds.
Counsel for the State Conor Devally told the court today that Ms Prendergast had a history of depression and had been in and out of institutions.
Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Brian McCaffery gave evidence that Ms Prendergast suffered from severe delusions and that her symptoms were exacerbated on 29 July 2006.
The jury has been asked to decide if it should pass the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity in line with the Criminal Law Insanity Act.
It is expected to deliberate on its verdict after a review of the evidence in the case tomorrow morning.
