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Prisoner who stabbed treating psychiatrist said "demon" told him to do it, court hears
Summary
Alan Ellis, 24, was sentenced to three years in prison with the final year suspended for assault causing harm at Mountjoy Prison on 23 October 2014. He stabbed his treating psychiatrist, Dr Ronan Mullaney, with a makeshift weapon described as a paint roller with one metal end filed to a sharp point. Ellis claimed a "demon" had entered his head and compelled him to act, stating he had no control over the demon. He shouted threats during the attack and attempted to push the weapon into Dr Mullaney's neck, puncturing the area beside the Adam's apple. Prison officers restrained him, and the doctor was treated for a small puncture wound. Ellis had previously pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and assault causing harm to a 14‑year‑old in 2012, for which he was serving a nine‑year sentence with three years suspended.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Prisoner who stabbed treating psychiatrist said "demon" told him to do it, court hears. Charges or matters: assault causing harm at Mountjoy Prison on October 23, 2014; false imprisonment and assault causing harm to the teenager on March 12, 2012. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 23, 2014 Incident
- March 12, 2012 Incident
- November 2013 Incident
- 2017-03-27 Publication
Why: A prisoner who stabbed his treating psychiatrist with a make-shift weapon because he said "a demon got into my head and told me to do it" has been sentenced to three years in prison. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm at Mountjoy Prison on October 23, 2014; false imprisonment and assault causing harm to the teenager on March 12, 2012 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: In November 2013, Judge Desmond Hogan sentenced him to a total of nine years in prison with three suspended for this and other offences, including assault causing harm and burglary. Today Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Ellis to three years in prison with the final year suspended.
Places mentioned
- Rathmines Road
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Mountjoy
- Mountjoy Prison
Topics
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