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Pensioner who destroyed 18th Century Trinity Gates found not guilty by reason of insanity

Summary

In a 2017 Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 69‑year‑old John Farrell was found not guilty by reason of insanity on all 14 counts of criminal damage, endangerment, dangerous driving and failing to stop after a collision. The case stemmed from an April 2014 incident in which Farrell's Mercedes smashed through Trinity College's 18th‑century wooden gates, causing over €33,000 in damage. He drove through the gates, struck security guards, a college van and a student, and then drove aggressively through Grafton Street, Nassau Street and Dawson Street, forcing Gardaí to restrain him. Dr Paul O'Connor testified that Farrell suffered from hyper‑mania and bipolar disorder, lacking moral awareness and the capacity to understand the consequences of his actions. The jury, after 42 minutes, returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. The judge noted Farrell's history of aggression and hospitalisations, and the court committed him to a psychiatric unit.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Pensioner who destroyed 18th Century Trinity Gates found not guilty by reason of insanity. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity

When:

• April 2, 2014 Other
• 2017-07-06 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Road Traffic Stage Finding

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Read the original CNI report