Courts / Wicklow / Report
Autistic man who beat mother to death committed to Central Mental Hospital
Summary
An autistic man, Bijan Afshar, 23, was found not guilty by reason of insanity for murdering his mother, Lynn Cassidy, 50, in Bray, County Wicklow, on 26 or 27 June 2014. The Central Criminal Court, after less than an hour of deliberation, ordered his committal to the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) in Dundrum. Justice Isobel Kennedy acted on a report by Dr Anthony Kearns, who diagnosed Afshar with autism and a mental disorder that impaired his thinking, emotions and judgment. Dr Kearns and defence counsel Michael O'Higgins agreed that Afshar was vulnerable and required inpatient care to prevent further harm. The court noted that Afshar would be reviewed by the Mental Health Board and considered for discharge under Section 13 of the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act. Justice Kennedy thanked the jury and exempted them from service for 15 years.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Autistic man who beat mother to death committed to Central Mental Hospital. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- 27 June 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-06-08 Publication
Case subjects
Places mentioned
- Central Mental Hospital
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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