Courts / Kildare / Report
McVerry Trust offers counselling to man who stabbed mother's partner in neck
Summary
The Central Criminal Court heard that the Peter McVerry Trust has offered addiction counselling to Jonathan Reid, 28, who stabbed his mother's partner, Greg Shiels, in the neck during a drug‑induced psychosis on 6 March 2020. Reid was originally charged with attempted murder but the Director of Public Prosecutions dropped that charge after he pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Shiels and to possession of cocaine and cannabis. The court noted Reid's history of mental health problems and that the psychosis was triggered by drug use rather than a clinical disorder. Seamus Clarke SC suggested the court could require Reid to attend counselling upon release. Mr Justice Paul McDermott said he would consider a 17‑page psychiatric report before passing sentence on 30 May. The hearing highlighted that Shiels fully supports Reid's recovery and that Reid has performed well in prison with no current symptoms. The case remains at the sentencing stage.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: McVerry Trust offers counselling to man who stabbed mother's partner in neck. Charges or matters: intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Mr Shiels and to possession of cocaine and cannabis, the Director of Public Prosecutions agreed to drop the attempted murder charge; possessing on the night amounted to personal use and were not for sale or supply. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 6, 2020 Incident
- Monday, May 30 Adjournment
- 2022-05-23 Publication
Why: He added: "I'm going to adjourn because it is not appropriate that I rush into this. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Mr Shiels and to possession of cocaine and cannabis, the Director of Public Prosecutions agreed to drop the attempted murder charge; possessing on the night amounted to personal use and were not for sale or supply (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Today Seamus Clarke SC, for Reid, said that the McVerry Trust has offered addiction counselling to Reid when he is released from prison and counsel suggested that the court could include a requirement to attend counselling when it passes sentence.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Naas General Hospital
- Tallaght
- Tallaght Hospital
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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