Courts / Ireland / Report
Son who stabbed mother and step-father during cocaine psychosis is jailed
Summary
Conor Dreelan, aged 25, was sentenced to four years in prison at the Central Criminal Court for intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to his mother, Phyllis Dreelan, and stepfather, David Dignam, during a cocaine‑induced psychotic episode. He had taken 2 grams of cocaine the day before the assault. Dreelan was found to have no evidence of psychosis when not using drugs and was described as being in shock when he realised the harm he had caused. The court imposed a six‑year sentence on each count of causing serious harm, suspended the final two years on the condition of good behaviour and supervision by probation services, and ordered the sentences to run concurrently. The victims reported that they knew the attack was not truly carried out by their son and expressed hope for his return home after his diagnosis of an acute psychotic episode secondary to drug consumption. Conor Dreelan pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Son who stabbed mother and step-father during cocaine psychosis is jailed. Charges or matters: intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to his parents. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 13, 2020 Incident
- 1st July 2020 Other
- 2021-09-03 Publication
Why: Ms Dreelan had explained that she was a full time mum and described the accused as 'a Mammy's boy', who looked out for his younger siblings. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to his parents (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Conor Dreelan (25) was entitled to a lesser sentence due to his temporary psychotic condition, which had been described in psychiatric reports submitted to the court. He sentenced him to six years on each count of causing serious harm but suspended the final two years on condition that he be of good behaviour and remain under the supervision of the probation services for those two years.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request