National court archive ยท 2026-03-26
'Just and humane society' seeks not to punish those who are unwell, defence reminds murder trial jury
At a glance
- Crime
- murder
- People
- Derek Mulligan, Derek Burns, Michael Ferry, Patricia McLaughlin SC, Fiona Crawford BL, Dr Ronan Mullaney, Dr Stephen Monks, Michael Bowman SC, Simon Gillespie BL
- Locations
- Carrickcoyle, Derrybeg, Gweedore, Co Donegal, Carrickmacafferty
- Court
- Central Criminal Court
- Outcome
- expected to begin their deliberations tomorrow
Summary
Defence counsel told a Central Criminal Court jury that a just and humane society should treat people who are unwell rather than punish them, in the trial of Derek Mulligan. Mulligan has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering his grandfather Derek Burns at Carrickcoyle, Derrybeg, and to other charges. Two psychiatrists told the trial he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and met the criteria for the special verdict. The jury was expected to begin deliberations the following day.
Original reporting: courtsnewsireland.ie