Courts / Dublin / Report

Garda who harassed female colleague is committed to Central Mental Hospital

Date
2016-06-27
Stage
Finding
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

A garda from Bundoran, County Donegal, has been committed to the Central Mental Hospital following a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The officer was found not guilty on two counts of harassment against a married female sergeant after a jury determined he was suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the offences, which occurred between February 2012 and February 2013. Medical evidence established that the garda had frontotemporal dementia, diagnosed as early onset, which impaired his judgment and impulse control. The court heard the harassment caused significant distress to the complainant and affected her work and family life. Judge Elma Sheahan ordered the garda's detention at the Central Mental Hospital for inpatient care and treatment, following a clinical assessment indicating he required ongoing treatment at a designated centre.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda who harassed female colleague is committed to Central Mental Hospital. Charges or matters: two counts of harassing the woman at a location in Dublin on dates between February 18 and March 11, 2012 and between August 1, 2012 and February 4, 2013. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity

When:

Why: She was granted annual leave following the Facebook contact from Gda Maguire because her superiors believed she was not in "a fit position to do her work". CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed man

Defendant

Charges: two counts of harassing the woman at a location in Dublin on dates between February 18 and March 11, 2012 and between August 1, 2012 and February 4, 2013 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity

Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity

Places mentioned

Facility
  • Central Mental Hospital
Garda Station
  • ultimately transferred to another garda station
  • sergeant at the Dublin Garda Station
  • Dublin
  • turned up at the garda station
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Finding

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Read the original CNI report

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