Courts / Galway / Report
Appeal court adjourns to ascertain whether man is suffering from pyromania
Summary
The Court of Appeal adjourned the appeal hearing of Karl McCarthy, 36, who had pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal damage for burning two cars on consecutive nights in October 2016. McCarthy was sentenced to six years' imprisonment by Judge Rory McCabe on 29 March 2017. The appeal was to challenge the severity of the sentence. The three‑judge panel, including Mr Justice John Edwards, Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice Alan Mahon, decided to postpone the hearing and requested psychiatric and psychological reports to determine whether McCarthy suffers from pyromania. Mr Justice Birmingham noted that the court would depart from normal practice and that further information should have been sought before finalising the sentence. He instructed McCarthy to fully cooperate with the professionals involved. The case was adjourned pending the reports.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Appeal court adjourns to ascertain whether man is suffering from pyromania. Charges or matters: two counts of criminal damage involving the burning of two cars on consecutive nights in October 2016. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- October 2016 Adjournment
- March 29, 2017 Adjournment
- 2018-04-20 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: two counts of criminal damage involving the burning of two cars on consecutive nights in October 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced to six years imprisonment by Judge Rory McCabe on March 29, 2017. McCarthy was due to appeal against the severity of his sentence today in the Court of Appeal.; However, the three-judge court adjourned the appeal and sought a psychiatric report as well as psychological report to ascertain whether McCarthy suffers from pyromania.
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