Courts / Galway / Report
Galway man who strangled brother with bungee cord found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity
Summary
A 41‑year‑old Declan O'Cualain was found not guilty by reason of insanity for strangling his brother Adrian Folan with a bungee cord on 4 July 2014. O'Cualain, who lived in An Caoran Beag, An Cheathru Rua, Co Galway, was charged with murder after the body was discovered concealed under rocks near the Cliffs of Moher, Co Clare. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, and after 21 minutes of deliberation a jury of nine men and three women returned that verdict. The judge, Justice Margaret Heneghan, exempted the jury from further service for 15 years and ordered O'Cualain to be committed to the Central Mental Hospital. The court heard forensic psychiatrists confirmed he was in an acute manic psychosis state, unable to appreciate the nature of his actions. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court on 22 April 2016.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Galway man who strangled brother with bungee cord found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity. Charges or matters: murdering Adrian Folan (O'Cualain) at Lislorkin North, Liscannor, Co Clare on July 4 2014; murdering Mr Folan by reason of insanity. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity
When:
- July 4 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- Thursday May 5 Adjournment
- July 5, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 6 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- Monday July 7, 2014 Incident
- July 7 Incident
- July 4 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 7 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 2013 Incident
- March 2014 Incident
- August 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2007 and 2012 Incident
- 2007 until 2012 Other
- 2016-04-22 Publication
Why: Mr O'Cualainn also told gardai he was consumed by what Adrian had done and his motive for killing him was because he was a "paedophile. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: murdering Adrian Folan (O'Cualain) at Lislorkin North, Liscannor, Co Clare on July 4 2014; murdering Mr Folan by reason of insanity (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Central Mental Hospital
- Limerick University Hospital
- Mr O'Cualain's house
- Headford Road
Topics
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