Courts / Cavan / Report
Man who killed elderly bachelor in psychiatric unit jailed for eight years
Summary
A man has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for the manslaughter of an elderly patient at a County Cavan psychiatric hospital. Ian Harman, aged 50, of Carrickallen near Cootehill, initially pleaded not guilty to murder in connection with the death of Michael Treanor, aged 82, at the Psychiatric Unit of Cavan General Hospital on 27 June 2011. During trial, Harman changed his plea to guilty of manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility under the Criminal Law Insanity Act. Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan imposed a ten-year sentence with the final two years suspended, backdated to 28 June 2011. The judge cited mitigating factors including Harman's guilty plea, remorse, cooperation with gardaí and psychiatric services, and his engagement in rehabilitation programmes while in custody. The court ordered post-release supervision for two years and participation in an integrated sentence management programme.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who killed elderly bachelor in psychiatric unit jailed for eight years. 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
- June 28, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2014-10-13 Publication
Why: 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: Mr Justice Sheehan also ordered that Harman co-operate with an integrated sentence management programme, to be put in place for him when he goes back to prison and that he undergo two years post-release supervision.
Places mentioned
- Cavan General Hospital
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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