Dublin woman pleads not guilty to murdering her elderly mother

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 in Dublin 1 is charged with murdering her elderly mother Mary Bergin in her home at First Avenue, Seville Place in Dublin 1 on April 13, 2022. 

Ms Bergin was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court today (MON) 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 these 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; namely 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 tomorrow before Mr Justice McDermott and is expected to last up to two days.