2023-10-27
Mentally ill prisoner who strangled cell mate is jailed for 10 years
Stage: Sentence
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Acquitted
Outcome: Acquitted; In sentencing Connolly today, Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford said a headline sentence of 15 years was appropriate but reduced that to 12 years' imprisonment when taking into account Connolly's mental health history, his admissions to gardaí that he killed Mr Lawlor and his expressions of remorse. Speaking after the sentencing, Mr Lawlor's sister, Sharon Brennan, on behalf of the Lawlor family said that "taking a life should mean a life sentence". "The prison system has a lot to answer for, putting two mentally ill patients in a cell together." "They said the prison was overcrowded that night but we found a report saying that there was only 93% capacity in the prison on that night.; Both men had mental health issues and had been remanded to the prison on unconnected matters.