Former Tyrone Minor Captain thought dead father would become guardian in heaven

A former Tyrone GAA minor captain on trial for shooting dead his father, thought that by killing one of his parents they would become his guardian in heaven and resolve his unhappiness in life.
Before the killing of his father Aloysius in January 2013, Sean Hackett had split up with his girlfriend.
The 19-year-old, from Augher, was also thinking of dropping out of college, and feeling the pressure of competing at a high level in Gaelic football.
Consultant forensic clinical psychologist Dr Philip Pollock assessed Mr Hackett.
In the months before the killing he said he had displayed symptoms of a major depressive disorder that was mildly to moderately severe.
He formed the idea that by killing one of his parents they would become his guardian in heaven looking down on him and providing a solution to his unhappiness.
On the day he shot his father he had twice tried to shoot his mother but had not been able to bring himself to do it.
The jury at Dungannon Crown Court was told that Sean Hackett himself would not be giving evidence.
The trial is expected to last up to two weeks.