Courts / Cavan / Report
Elderly victim's family say legal system favoured the defendant
Summary
A man pleaded guilty to manslaughter following the death of an elderly patient at Cavan General Hospital's psychiatric unit in June 2011. Ian Harman, aged 50, from Cootehill, County Cavan, initially denied murdering Michael Treanor, aged 82, but accepted the lesser charge at the Central Criminal Court in July 2014 on grounds of diminished responsibility under the Criminal Law Insanity Act. The prosecution established that Harman used a belt and pillow to kill Mr Treanor, who suffered from dementia. The defence argued that abrupt withdrawal of anti-psychotic medication caused Harman to experience a mental disorder affecting his culpability. At a sentencing hearing in October 2014, the deceased's nephew delivered a victim impact statement expressing concern that the legal system had favoured the defendant. Justice Garrett Sheehan remanded Harman in custody pending sentencing. Ian Harman pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Elderly victim's family say legal system favoured the defendant. Charges or matters: murdering Michael Treanor (82) at the Psychiatric Unit of Cavan General Hospital, Lisdarn, Co Cavan on June 27, 2011; murder but guilty of manslaughter. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 27, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 20, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2014-10-06 Publication
Why: Today Mr McCarthy told the court that "fantasising about a way of getting imprisoned" had appeared to be the motive for the killing. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murdering Michael Treanor (82) at the Psychiatric Unit of Cavan General Hospital, Lisdarn, Co Cavan on June 27, 2011; murder but guilty of manslaughter (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: She asked the court to consider suspending part of his sentence on condition that he engage in rehabilitation.; Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan remanded Harman in custody for sentencing on Monday next.
Places mentioned
- Cavan General Hospital
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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