Garda (40) who harassed colleague was suffering from early-onset dementia, psychiatrists say

A garda from Bundoran, County Donegal, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of harassment against a married female sergeant committed between February 2012 and February 2013. Two forensic psychiatrists told the jury that the accused was suffering from frontotemporal dementia, an early-onset condition characterised by symptoms including erotomania, loss of empathy, and impaired judgment. Both expert witnesses concluded the accused did not appreciate his conduct was wrongful and lacked the capacity to refrain from his actions at the time of the alleged offences, as defined under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. The prosecution and defence counsel both urged the jury to return a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. The jury was addressed by Judge Elma Sheahan before retiring to consider their verdict.