Teen who killed schoolboy is suffering up to 10 "seizure like episodes" per day, court hears

A teenager convicted of manslaughter in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old in Claremorris, County Mayo, is experiencing an epileptic-type condition characterised by up to ten seizure-like episodes daily, the Central Criminal Court heard during sentencing proceedings in Castlebar. The accused, now aged 17, was found guilty of manslaughter in July following a jury trial, having been acquitted of murder. The victim, Dovydas Jenkas, died from a single stab wound in the early hours of 19 December 2015. At the sentence hearing, the defence outlined that the teenager's medical condition involves transient alterations of consciousness and automatic behaviours, with no memory retention during episodes. The court learned that neurological specialists are pursuing diagnostic assessment and potential surgical intervention. The defence highlighted mitigating factors including the accused's previous good character, low re-offending risk, positive probation report, and educational potential. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon indicated reluctance to proceed with sentencing pending clarification of the teenager's medical status. The hearing was adjourned to 21 November to receive medical evidence from the accused's physician.