Courts / Offaly / Report

Jury's verdict in manslaughter case "perverse", lawyers say

Date
2019-01-24
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Geashill
County
Offaly

Summary

In a 2019 case, Polish driver Dariusz Alchimionek, aged 44, was found guilty of manslaughter and assault after a December 2015 incident in which he collided with the Gorman brothers, killing 19‑year‑old John Gorman and injuring Adam. The jury, after 2 h 50 min deliberation, returned a 11‑1 guilty verdict on both counts, despite psychiatrists agreeing he met the criteria for not guilty by reason of insanity. Alchimionek was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended. His defence counsel appealed, arguing the verdict was "perverse" and that the jury's decision contradicted expert evidence. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment on the appeal. The case remains at the appeal stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury's verdict in manslaughter case "perverse", lawyers say. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity

When:

Case subjects

Dariusz Alchimionek

Defendant

Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity

Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity; Alchimionek was then sentenced nine years imprisonment with the final three suspended by Judge Keenan Johnson in October 2017.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Court of Appeal
  • Co Offaly. Tullamore Circuit Criminal Court
  • Tullamore
Residence
Secondary Mention
Facility
  • Central Mental Hospital

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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