Courts / Dublin / Report

Murderer who stabbed disabled homeless man 183 times argues diminished responsibility should have been open to jury

Summary

Philip Dunbar, aged 22, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of 23‑year‑old Adam 'Floater' Muldoon, who was stabbed 183 times in an unprovoked attack when Dunbar was 17. His lawyers argued at the Court of Appeal that Dunbar should have been allowed to present a defence of diminished responsibility based on a mental disorder caused by chronic drug abuse. They cited expert psychiatric witnesses who said drug dependence could constitute a mental disorder distinct from intoxication. The trial judge had refused to allow the defence, and the appeal judge noted that a mental disorder must be established by a consultant psychiatrist under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act. The appeal will continue before the Court of Appeal tomorrow. Philip Dunbar was found guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murderer who stabbed disabled homeless man 183 times argues diminished responsibility should have been open to jury. Charges or matters: murder by a unanimous jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Paul McDermott. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• June 22 Incident
• 2023-03-29 Publication

Why: Court of appeal judge Mr Justice John Edwards said that what constituted a mental disorder was specific and required international standards to be applied "because otherwise you can call anything a mental disorder". CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report