Murder accused who strangled his girlfriend was suffering from schizophrenia and "believed he was in the Matrix", trial hears

A 34-year-old man stands charged with the murder of his girlfriend at the Central Criminal Court. The accused, with an address in Boyle, County Roscommon, is charged with strangling a 23-year-old woman at a residence in Sligo on 28 October 2015. He has pleaded not guilty to murder by reason of insanity. The defence has admitted that the accused caused the woman's death by strangulation, with the sole issue being his mental state at the time. Detective Sergeant evidence outlined that the accused made a 999 call to emergency services, stating he had killed his girlfriend using a rear naked choke hold. Forensic psychiatrist Dr Fiona Toal testified that the accused suffered from schizophrenia and had stopped taking anti-psychotic medication months before the incident. She stated he believed he was in the Matrix and that voices instructed him to kill. Dr Toal concluded the accused was unable to refrain from the killing and did not know his actions were wrong. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt.