'I might consider calling in the governor' - judge says judicial review may be needed over prison access problems

A psychiatrist assessing a Somali national accused of murdering young mother Mary Ward is close to withdrawing from the case due to the “dismissive and rude” behaviour of prison staff, a court has heard.

At the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Paul McDermott said that a judicial review may be needed if the prison fails to allow the psychiatrist access to Ahmed Abdirahman (32).

Mr Abdirahman, originally from Somalia and with a last address at Kinlay House, Lord Edward Street, Dublin, is accused of murdering Ms Ward, who was his former partner, on September 25, 2024, at her house on Melrose Street in south Belfast.

He remains in custody in Cloverhill Prison awaiting the preparation of a psychiatric report. The case has come before the courts on a number of occasions, with the defence legal team previously saying that the accused had failed to engage with a psychiatrist who attempted to see him.

When the matter came back before the court on March 18, counsel for the accused, Oisin Clarke BL, said that a psychiatrist had seen the accused, but the last two video link consultations were cancelled by the prison, with the psychiatrist indicating that at least another one or two consultations were needed.

The matter was then adjourned, with Mr Justice Paul McDermott saying he wanted explanations as to what had happened and when the next consultation with the accused would be arranged.

Mr Clarke said this morning that the psychiatrist had attended for a physical visit with the accused in prison, but he felt the staff were “dismissive and rude”, so he left without seeing the accused.

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Mr Justice McDermott told counsel to contact the governor of the prison to establish whether the next consultation is proceeding. He said that if an issue arises with the prison failing to provide access to the accused, a judicial review may be needed.

“I might consider calling in the governor myself to see why the doctor is being treated in this way,” said Mr Justice McDermott, adding that the case “can’t ground to a halt because of the failure of the State”.

The matter was adjourned to Thursday, March 26.