Courts / Dublin / Report

Man pleads not guilty by reason of insanity to harassing six people

Summary

A 50‑year‑old man stands trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for harassing six people, including five relatives, between 2012 and 2014. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006, a law that allows a jury to return a special verdict if the accused was not mentally responsible at the time. Both prosecution and defence argue that the man was mentally ill during the incidents. The prosecution, led by Fergal Foley BL, described a "virtual campaign of harassment" involving numerous phone threats, including 530 calls to a Garda officer and accusations of persecution by Barack Obama. Defence counsel Feargal Kavanagh SC said the man was influenced by media and believed the recipients were corrupt or criminal. The trial, to be heard by Judge Sarah Berkeley, will conclude after the jury considers evidence from a consultant psychiatrist. The case remains at the trial stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man pleads not guilty by reason of insanity to harassing six people. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity

When:

• 2012 and 2014 Other
• 2015-06-22 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Finding

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Read the original CNI report