Courts / Ireland / Report

'This has got to stop': judge threatens to bring prison governor before court

Summary

A judge has warned that the governor of the Midlands Prison will be summoned to the Central Criminal Court to explain why a psychiatrist hired by defence lawyers was denied access to a prisoner awaiting a murder trial on two separate occasions. The prisoner, who is in custody, is seeking a psychiatric assessment to determine whether he qualifies for a defence under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act, which allows a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity or manslaughter due to diminished responsibility. Mr Justice Paul McDermott has repeatedly highlighted that the lack of psychiatric services in Ireland forces lawyers to seek experts abroad, causing significant trial delays and increasing trauma for victims' families. The defence team, represented by Morgan Shelley BL, secured a UK psychiatrist who was scheduled to meet the prisoner twice, only to have the meetings cancelled by the prison without explanation.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'This has got to stop': judge threatens to bring prison governor before court. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• March 7 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2025-02-05 Publication

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report