Courts / Dublin / Report
Jury finds man (21) not guilty of murdering mother's partner by reason of insanity
Summary
A 21‑year‑old man, Adam Nolan, was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of his mother's partner, Bryan Cassidy, 52, on 7 February 2018. Nolan had been admitted to Tallaght Hospital after a visit to A&E where he said he had to kill the man. He was diagnosed with drug‑induced psychosis, sent home, and advised to seek treatment for drug misuse. Two weeks later he stabbed Cassidy to death. The Central Criminal Court heard that the original diagnosis was later replaced with schizophrenia, a condition for which Nolan had a genetic vulnerability. During the trial, forensic psychiatrists testified that Nolan was acutely psychotic at the time of the killing and that he had homicidal ideations. The jury, after 27 minutes of deliberation, returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, and Nolan was committed to the Central Mental Hospital for treatment.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jury finds man (21) not guilty of murdering mother's partner by reason of insanity. Charges or matters: murder; murdering father-of-one Bryan Cassidy (52) on 7th February, 2018 at the same address. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity
When:
- 7th February Other
- 25th January Hearing Or Sentence
- 2019-05-31 Publication
Why: A man has been found not guilty by reason of insanity of murdering his mother's partner two weeks after being sent home from A&E, where he had gone because he felt he 'had to kill' him. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: murdering father-of-one Bryan Cassidy (52) on 7th February, 2018 at the same address; murder (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Places mentioned
- The Central Criminal Court
- Tallaght
- Tallaght Hospital
- Central Mental Hospital
- took him to the garda station
Topics
Drugs Stage Finding Violent Crime
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