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Garda murder accused's responsibility diminished by mental illness, psychiatrist tells trial

2022-11-02 · Castlerea, Roscommon · Central Criminal Court

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A consultant psychiatrist has told the Central Criminal Court that a man accused of murdering Detective Garda Colm Horkan was suffering from bipolar affective disorder that substantially reduced his mental capacity and responsibility for his actions. Dr Brenda Wright said the accused's mental impairment contributed significantly to the shooting at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020, and that a defence under Section 6 of the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act would be appropriate. The 46-year-old mechanic from Foxford, County Mayo has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. Dr Wright noted the accused had seventeen previous psychiatric hospitalisations and had experienced psychotic symptoms including delusions and hallucinations. She disagreed with another psychiatrist's assessment that he retained significantly intact mental capacity at the time of the incident. Her cross-examination continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.

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