Murder Trial: Personality disorder has direct link to violence

Yesterday forensic consultant psychiatrist Doctor Ramneesh Puri told jurors that 46-year-old Ian Anderson suffers from borderline emotionally unstable personality disorder.

 

He denies murdering 60-year-old Neil Roberts, from Ballabeg, in 2013 - his body was found at his home on Queen Street on December 1st. 

 

The jury was read two potential partial defences to a charge of murder which the psychiatrist was asked to comment on. 

 

To a defence of provocation Dr Puri said Anderson's condition would "on balance have rendered him more vulnerable to losing control to a perceived threat". 

 

To a second of diminished responsibility he said emotionally unstable personality disorder is a "recognised mental disorder and therefore a mental abnormality". 

 

Anderson was also said to be displaying morbid jealousy due to the fact he believed his wife was having an affair with Mr Roberts - his reaction to which was described as "excessive and irrational". 

 

When asked if something changed on the night Mr Roberts died the doctor said Anderson had finally received confirmation from the pair that they loved one another. 

 

"This could be a contributory factor to violence," the doctor added. 

 

Ian Anderson denies murder - the trial continues.