The 39-year-old was found stabbed to death at his home in Beech Park Avenue, Castleknock in north Dublin in January 2014.
Saverio Bellante, who_ s from Palermo, was arrested at the scene and later charged with his murder.
Today, the Central Criminal Court heard it was dealing with an insanity case.
Under Irish law, if someone is considered to have committed an offence but was insane at the time, the verdict may be not guilty by reason of insanity but this decision has to be made by a jury.
Seven men and five women were sworn in to hear the two-day trial, which is due to get underway later this week.
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