Former solicitor at prestigious firm pleads not guilty to murdering father by reason of insanity

Alison O’Riordan

A former solicitor at a prestigious law firm has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering his father in north Dublin nearly two years ago.

Daire McCormack George (31), with an address at Cabra Road, Phibsborough, Dublin 7 is charged with the murder of Scott George at Drumans End, Tobersool, Balbriggan in County Dublin on December 12th 2024.

McCormack George 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 him how he was pleading, McCormack George replied: “Not guilty by reason of insanity".

Judge Patrick McGrath told the jury panel that the accused had lived at that address in Balbriggan for part of his life but that he had also lived at another address.

The judge said the accused man was formally employed as a solicitor in 'Mason Hayes & Curran' in Dublin city.

Mr Justice McGrath informed the potential jurors that the issue they will have to enquire into is "the consideration of psychiatric evidence; the state of mind of the accused and his capacity when he is alleged to have killed his late father in 2024".

The judge told the panel that they would need to be available to sit until the end of the week. "I'm told the case will finish, including reaching a verdict, by this Friday".

The prosecution case is being led by senior counsel Vincent Heneghan, while Michael Bowman SC is heading up the defence team.

A jury of ten men and two women was sworn in to hear the trial, which is due to begin tomorrow at 2pm before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon.