Courts / Mayo / Report

Drug-induced psychosis does not qualify for insanity verdict, ex-CMH director tells murder trial

Date
2024-07-19

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Westport

County
Mayo

Summary

A former clinical director of the Central Mental Hospital has told the Central Criminal Court that drug-induced psychosis does not constitute a mental disorder qualifying for an insanity verdict. Professor Harry Kennedy gave expert evidence in the trial of James Kilroy, aged 51, from Kilbree Lower, Westport, County Mayo, who has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his wife, Valerie French Kilroy, in June 2019. The accused accepts responsibility for the killing but claims diminished responsibility due to mental illness. The defence called Dr Ronan Mullaney, who suggested the accused suffered cannabis-induced psychosis at the time. Professor Kennedy disputed this diagnosis, stating that cannabis-induced psychosis results directly from drug use and therefore constitutes intoxication rather than a qualifying mental disorder under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act. He told the jury that the accused understood the nature of his actions and knew they were wrongful.