Ireland Case No. 6348Murder · Co. Dublin · 4 Nov 2021
Man found not guilty by reason of insanity over Finglas killing of wife
Diego Costa Silva, a 35-year-old Brazilian man, is charged with murdering his wife, Fabiola Camara De Campos Silva, a 33-year-old Brazilian woman (one report gives her age as 32), at their home in Charlestown Place, Finglas, Dublin 11, on 4 November 2021. Gardaí arrested him on suspicion of murder and interviewed him at Finglas Garda Station on 4 and 5 November 2021, and he pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court. The trial opened on 4 March 2024, and two forensic consultant psychiatrists gave evidence that he was suffering from cannabis-induced psychosis. On 8 March 2024 a jury found him not guilty of murder by reason of insanity, and he is due back in court on 22 March 2024 for a psychiatrist's report on his mental condition.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court4 Mar
6 reports - Acquitted8 Mar
3 reports - Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Diego Costa Silva, 35, is charged with murdering his wife, Fabiola Camara De Campos Silva, 33 (one report gives her age as 32).
- Where
- The killing is alleged to have happened at the couple's home in Charlestown Place, Finglas, Dublin 11.
- When
- The killing is alleged to have happened on 4 November 2021.
- Cause
- The State Pathologist gave the cause of death as decapitation, with blunt force trauma to the head and asphyxia as contributing factors.
- Two forensic consultant psychiatrists gave evidence that he was suffering from cannabis-induced psychosis, which both agreed was a persistent illness and not due to acute intoxication.
- Weapon
- The accused allegedly used knives, and he told gardaí he used four knives and stabbed his wife in the heart before cutting off her head.
- Other details
- He told gardaí he believed his wife was possessed by a serpent and was going to kill him, after he confessed to cheating on her.
- Investigation
- Gardaí arrested him on suspicion of murder and detained him under section 12 of the Mental Health Act, and a urine test after his arrest was positive for cannabis.
- Gardaí interviewed him five times at Finglas Garda Station on 4 and 5 November 2021.
- Charges
- He was charged with murder and pleaded not guilty.
- In court
- The trial opened on 4 March 2024 at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath and a jury of seven men and five women.
- The defence made 15 admissions and sought a special verdict under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006.
- He is to be taken to the Central Mental Hospital for assessment and is due back in court on 22 March 2024 for a psychiatrist's report on his mental condition.
- Sentence
- On 8 March 2024 the jury found him not guilty of murder by reason of insanity after two hours and 24 minutes of deliberation.
101 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe accused is charged with murdering his 32-year-old wife. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDiego Costa Silva pleaded not guilty to the murder of Fabiola Camara De Campos Silva. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe accused allegedly decapitated his wife after attacking her with knives. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGardaí found the victim with her head separated from her torso. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDiego Costa Silva has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Fabiole Camara De Campos Silva. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA man accused of murdering his wife told gardaí he heard voices in his head. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA man killed and decapitated his wife while suffering from cannabis-induced psychosis. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused believed his wife was possessed by a serpent and would kill him. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused struck, strangled and stabbed the victim before cutting off her head. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDiego Costa Silva was found not guilty of his wife's murder by reason of insanity. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe murder occurred at Charlestown Place, Finglas. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe killing is alleged to have happened at Charlestown Place, Finglas, Dublin 11. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe killing happened at the couple's apartment in Charlestown Place, Finglas, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe killing is alleged to have happened at the couple's home in Charlestown Place, Finglas. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe killing is alleged to have happened at the couple's home in Charlestown Place, Finglas, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe killing happened at the couple's home in Charlestown Place, Finglas, Dublin 11. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe killing happened at the couple's home in Finglas, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder occurred on November 4th, 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder is alleged to have happened on 4 November 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe killing took place on November 4th, 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe killing is alleged to have happened on 4 November 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe murder is alleged to have happened on November 4th, 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe killing happened on November 4th, 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe victim was killed on November 4th, 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe killing took place on November 4, 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe killing happened on 4 November 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe State Pathologist gave the cause of death as decapitation, with blunt force trauma and asphyxia as contributing factors. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe accused told gardaí he believed his wife was going to try to kill him. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe accused told gardaí he had confessed to cheating on his wife. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeBoth psychiatrists agreed that the psychosis was not due to acute intoxication from cannabis but a more persistent illness of cannabis-induced psychosis. (irishtimes.com)
- causeTwo forensic psychiatrists said the accused was suffering from cannabis-induced psychosis. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe State Pathologist gave the cause of death as decapitation, with blunt force trauma to the head and asphyxia as contributing factors. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeTwo forensic consultant psychiatrists gave evidence that Costa Silva was suffering from cannabis-induced psychosis. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeDiego Costa Silva killed his wife while in a state of cannabis-induced psychosis. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponThe prosecution alleges the accused used knives in the attack. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponThe accused told gardaí he used four knives. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponThe accused described using four knives. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponThe accused said he took a knife and cut the victim's head. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponCosta Silva said he used four knives. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe jury will hear evidence from gardai, a member of the emergency services and two consultant forensic psychiatrists. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe accused called emergency services and said he thought he had killed his wife. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí arrested the accused on suspicion of murder. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí interviewed the accused five times at Finglas Garda Station on 4 and 5 November 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe accused said he called gardaí 10 or 15 minutes after the attack. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí interviewed the accused five times at Finglas Garda station on November 4th and 5th, 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA garda detained the accused under section 12 of the Mental Health Act. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe accused pleaded not guilty to the murder. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMr Costa Silva is charged with murdering his 32-year-old wife at their home in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe accused was arrested and charged with his wife's murder after his garda interviews. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe accused pleaded not guilty to murdering the victim. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeCosta Silva pleaded not guilty to murdering Fabiola De Campos Silva, 33. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe jury will be asked to consider an insanity verdict. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial is due to open before a judge and jury of seven men and five women. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial is expected to run for about five days. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA jury will be asked to consider a special verdict of insanity. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is due to open before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath and a jury of seven men and five women. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is expected to take about five days. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe accused has pleaded not guilty to murder. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury has seven men and five women and will hear from two forensic consultant psychiatrists. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe defence made 15 admissions on behalf of the accused. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe defence will ask the jury to return a special verdict under the Criminal Law Insanity Act 2006. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial continues before Mr Justice MacGrath and the jury. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury was told it will be asked to return a special verdict under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath and a jury of seven men and five women, and continues the next day. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe accused has pleaded not guilty to the murder. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury will be asked to return a special verdict under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial is continuing. (irishtimes.com)
- courtTwo consultant psychiatrists gave evidence at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe psychiatrists said cannabis-induced psychosis is a mental disorder under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe defence argues the accused should be found not guilty by reason of insanity. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe accused continued to show psychotic symptoms eleven days after his arrest and detention. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge had begun charging the jury, who were to begin considering their verdict on Friday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA jury found the accused not guilty of murder by reason of insanity. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury took two hours and 24 minutes to reach a unanimous verdict. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case will return to court on March 22nd for a psychiatrist's report. (irishtimes.com)
- courtCosta Silva is due back in court on March 22, when a psychiatrist will report on his current mental condition. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtA jury found him not guilty of murder by reason of insanity. (irishtimes.com)
- courtDr Mark Joynt told the court that the accused did not know the nature and quality of his actions and was unable to refrain from them due to his mental disorder. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe defence and prosecution told the jury the accused was not legally responsible and qualified for the special verdict under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused and his wife came from Brazil. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused worked for a time at the Coach House pub in Blanchardstown. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe jury will hear evidence from gardaí, a member of the emergency services and two consultant forensic psychiatrists. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused and his wife both came from Brazil. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMr Costa Silva worked for a time at the Coach House pub in Blanchardstown. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe accused was arrested for his own safety the day before the killing after being seen jogging almost naked on the street. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused is a native of Brazil. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused told gardaí he heard voices in his head. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe accused said he struck his wife on the head with a cup before choking her. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe accused said he stabbed his wife in the heart before cutting off her head. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe accused told gardaí that sometimes you have to behead somebody because the person is possessed. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA garda detained the accused under section 12 of the Mental Health Act before he was taken to the Mater hospital. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA urine analysis taken after the accused's arrest was positive for cannabis. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe accused's only previous convictions are for minor road traffic matters. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe accused said he had confessed to cheating on his wife and believed she was going to try to kill him. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused said he struck his wife on the head with a cup, choked her and put his foot on her neck before stabbing her. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused said he stabbed his wife in the heart and then cut off her head. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA urine analysis taken after his arrest was positive for cannabis but not for alcohol or other drugs. (irishtimes.com)
- otherGardaí detained the accused under section 12 of the Mental Health Act to be examined by a doctor after concern for his mental health. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused will be taken to the Central Mental Hospital for assessment. (irishtimes.com)
- otherCosta Silva will be taken to the Central Mental Hospital to be assessed. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe trial heard the accused believed his wife was possessed by a serpent and was going to kill him. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 9 Mar2024What is cannabis-induced psychosis? The condition behind ‘insanity’ murder case
Explainer on cannabis-induced psychosis built around the insanity verdict in this murder trial; adds the verdict, the defence psychiatric evidence and the trial account of the accused's beliefs.
victim, Fabiola De Campos SilvaFabiola De Campos Silvaaccused, Diego Costa Silva, 35, male, namedDiego Costa Silva - 8 Mar2024Man who decapitated wife found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity
Reports the jury verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, the trial evidence, and the next court date.
accused, Diego Costa Silva, 35, male, namedDiego Costa Silvavictim, Fabiola De Campos Silva, 33, femaleFabiola De Campos Silva - 8 Mar2024Man who killed wife in cannabis-induced psychosis found not guilty by reason of insanity
Reports the jury verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, the court's directions after the verdict, and the trial evidence about the accused's mental state and the hospital visit before the killing.
accused, Diego Costa Silva, 35, male, namedDiego Costa Silvavictim, Fabiola De Campos Silva, 33, femaleFabiola De Campos Silva - 7 Mar2024Man killed wife in cannabis-induced psychosis, psychiatrists tell court
Report of the Central Criminal Court trial: psychiatric evidence, closing speeches and the judge's charge to the jury. No verdict is reported in this article.
accused, Diego Costa Silva, 35, male, namedDiego Costa Silvavictim, Fabiola Camara De Campos Silva, 33, femaleFabiola Camara De Campos Silva - 6 Mar2024Murder accused believed wife might kill him after he confessed to cheating, trial hears
Trial report from the Central Criminal Court. The accused has pleaded not guilty, the jury may be asked to return a special verdict under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006, and the trial is continuing.
accused, Diego Costa Silva, 35, male, namedDiego Costa Silvavictim, Fabiola Camara De Campos Silva, 33, femaleFabiola Camara De Campos Silva - 6 Mar2024Man accused of wife's murder told gardai 'Sometimes you have to behead somebody'
Trial report on the Central Criminal Court case, giving details of the accused's garda interviews, the alleged weapons and his mental health account. No existing case matches this trial.
victim, Fabiole Camara De Campos, 33, femaleFabiole Camara De Camposaccused, Diego Costa Silva, 35, male, namedDiego Costa Silva - 5 Mar2024Murder accused suffering with mental disorder when he killed wife, court told
Reports the opening of the Central Criminal Court murder trial: prosecution opening, first witnesses, 15 defence admissions, and the defence's intention to seek a special verdict under the Criminal Law Insanity Act 2006.
accused, Diego Costa Silva, 35, male, namedDiego Costa Silvavictim, Fabiola Camara De Campos Silva, 33, femaleFabiola Camara De Campos Silva - 4 Mar2024Brazilian man pleads not guilty to murdering his wife in Dublin home
Reports the not guilty plea and the opening of the Central Criminal Court trial, including the special verdict in respect of insanity and the expected evidence.
accused, Diego Costa Silva, 35, male, Brazilian, named, non-irishDiego Costa Silvavictim, Fabiola Camara De Campos Silva, 32, female, Brazilian, non-irishFabiola Camara De Campos Silva - 4 Mar2024Jury to be asked to consider insanity verdict in trial of man accused of wife’s murder
Trial stage: accused pleaded not guilty; jury to consider insanity verdict; trial expected to run about five days.
accused, Diego Costa Silva, 35, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Diego Costa Silvavictim, Fabiola Camara De Campos Silva, 32, female, non-irish (judged from name)Fabiola Camara De Campos Silva