Courts / Louth / Report
Family of prisoner who strangled cellmate had tried to have him committed, court hears
Summary
The Central Criminal Court heard that the family of Michael Connolly (55), who was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility in the death of Mark Lawlor (37), had previously attempted to have him committed to a mental health institution due to concerns about his deteriorating mental health. Connolly had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Lawlor by reason of insanity. The jury was informed that Connolly believed Mr Lawlor had 'some kind of exalted identity like a king' and was 'a kingpin of Dublin'. The case hinged on the disagreement between two psychiatrists regarding whether Connolly was sufficiently mentally ill to be found not guilty by reason of insanity. The prosecution submitted that the offence committed by Connolly fell into the higher bracket for sentencing, which would result in a sentence between 10 and 15 years. Defence counsel highlighted that Connolly had received a fully-suspended sentence in 2013 for attacking what he believed to be 'blasphemous' artworks in a Louth church gallery with an axe and was then admitted to a mental health institution in Ardee, Co Louth. The matter was adjourned to October 27 for sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Family of prisoner who strangled cellmate had tried to have him committed, court hears. Charges or matters: the murder of Mr Lawlor by reason of insanity. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Acquitted
When:
- Friday, November 22, 2019 Adjournment
- Saturday, November 23, 2019 Adjournment
- November 23, 2019 Incident
- October 27 Adjournment
- August 1 Other
- 2023-10-09 Publication
Why: In her charge to the jury, Ms Justice Lankford said that in order to meet the criteria for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, the jury had to be satisfied that the accused did not know the nature and quality of the act, did not know that what he was doing was wrong, or was unable to refrain from committing the act. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the murder of Mr Lawlor by reason of insanity (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Acquitted
Outcome: Acquitted; Mr McGillicuddy said it was the prosecution's submission that the offence committed by Connolly fell into the higher bracket for sentencing, which would result in a sentence between 10 and 15 years. Mr McDonough said Connolly had received a fully-suspended sentence in 2013 for attacking what he believed to be "blasphemous" art works in a Louth church gallery with an axe and was then admitted to a mental health institution in Ardee, Co Louth.; Mr McGillicuddy said Mr Lawlor and Connolly had both been remanded to the prison on unconnected matters and the two men were alone sharing the three-prisoner cell on the night.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Cloverhill Prison
Topics
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