Courts / Cork / Report
Mother whose son tried to murder her hits out at failures in mental health system
Summary
At a sentencing hearing in the Central Criminal Court on 22 March 2024, Mary Coughlan, mother of 32‑year‑old Gearoid Coughlan, spoke about the assault she endured when her son, diagnosed with schizophrenia, tried to murder her on 4 June 2021. She described the violent attack, which left her with a 25‑cm neck wound, multiple facial wounds, a traumatic brain injury and ongoing speech and language therapy. Coughlan criticised the mental health system for failing to monitor her son's risk and medication adherence, arguing that people with paranoid schizophrenia are allowed to live in the community without adequate care. She said she would not let the assault define her life and has returned to singing, walking and spending time with grandchildren. Gearoid was arrested, sent to the Central Mental Hospital and is awaiting a psychiatric report before sentencing on 12 April. Gearoid Coughlan pleaded guilty and was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Mother whose son tried to murder her hits out at failures in mental health system. Charges or matters: attempting to murder his mother on June 4, 2021 at her home in Ballycoughlan. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity
When:
- June 4, 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 12 Other
- 2024-03-22 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: attempting to murder his mother on June 4, 2021 at her home in Ballycoughlan (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity; Coughlan's lawyers told the court that their client was concerned about the indeterminate sentence he would receive if he were sent to the Central Mental Hospital having been found not guilty by reason of insanity. His barrister Alice Fawsitt SC told the court that Coughlan took the decision not to look for a "special verdict" under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act and would prefer to serve his sentence in prison rather than in hospital.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Central Mental Hospital
- Cork University Hospital
Topics
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