Courts / Louth / Report

Mentally ill prisoner who strangled cell mate is jailed for 10 years

Date
2023-10-27

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Louth

County
Louth

Summary

Michael Connolly (55), of no fixed abode, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility of Mark Lawlor (38), who was found dead in Cloverhill Prison on the night of Friday, November 22, 2019. Connolly was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility by a jury at the Central Criminal Court in August. The fatal attack occurred in a three-prisoner cell where both men had mental health issues and had been remanded to the prison on unconnected matters. Connolly had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Lawlor by reason of insanity. During the sentencing hearing, Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford stated that a headline sentence of 15 years was appropriate but reduced that to 12 years' imprisonment when taking into account Connolly's mental health history, his admissions to gardaí that he killed Mr Lawlor and his expressions of remorse. She then suspended a further two years of the sentence for five years to grant Connolly an opportunity to reintegrate into society upon his release. Ms Justice Lankford also suspended the final two years of the sentence for five years during which Connolly is to attend psychiatric treatment, not use illicit drugs and be of good behaviour for that time. The matter was adjourned and never described as concluded or finalised.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Mentally ill prisoner who strangled cell mate is jailed for 10 years. 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, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
2023-10-27 Publication

Why: Psychiatric reports found Connolly had limited insight into his mental health issues after he burned a room at a B&B he was staying in in Dundalk because he believed the HSE and Government were run by "Zionists". CNI source report

Case subjects

Mark Lawlor

Defendant

Charges: the murder of Mr Lawlor by reason of insanity (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Acquitted

Outcome: Acquitted; In sentencing Connolly today, Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford said a headline sentence of 15 years was appropriate but reduced that to 12 years' imprisonment when taking into account Connolly's mental health history, his admissions to gardaí that he killed Mr Lawlor and his expressions of remorse. Speaking after the sentencing, Mr Lawlor's sister, Sharon Brennan, on behalf of the Lawlor family said that "taking a life should mean a life sentence". "The prison system has a lot to answer for, putting two mentally ill patients in a cell together." "They said the prison was overcrowded that night but we found a report saying that there was only 93% capacity in the prison on that night.; Both men had mental health issues and had been remanded to the prison on unconnected matters.

Michael Connolly

Defendant

Charges: the murder of Mr Lawlor by reason of insanity (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Acquitted

Outcome: Acquitted; She then suspended a further two years of the sentence for five years to grant Connolly an opportunity to reintegrate into society upon his release. Ms Justice Lankford then suspended the final two years of the sentence for five years during which Connolly is to attend psychiatric treatment, not use illicit drugs and be of good behaviour for that time.; Both men had mental health issues and had been remanded to the prison on unconnected matters.