Courts / Dublin / Report

Family of Tom O'Gorman have concerns over HSE's management of "cannibal" killer's mental health

Date
2018-02-19

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The family of Tom O'Gorman, who was murdered by his lodger Saverio Bellante, has obtained the trial transcript after expressing concerns that Bellante's mental health care by the HSE may have contributed to the killing. Bellante, 38, was found not guilty by reason of insanity in a Central Criminal Court jury trial in July 2015 and was ordered to be detained indefinitely at the Central Mental Hospital in Dublin. Ciaran Craven SC applied for the transcript on behalf of the family, arguing that the death might have been influenced by the manner in which Bellante was treated by the HSE and a named doctor. The application was granted by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, who noted no precedent, and the transcript was released with restrictions for the coroner's use only. The family believes the inquest is the sole avenue to investigate the alleged inadequacies in Bellante's mental health management.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Family of Tom O'Gorman have concerns over HSE's management of "cannibal" killer's mental health. Procedural stage: trial

When:

July 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
2018-02-19 Publication

Why: Mr Craven explained that the family became concerned during the trial that 'the death may have been brought about by the manner in which the accused was treated by the HSE' and a named doctor. CNI source report