Maud Coffey’s family agrees with insanity verdict as Austin Mangan is committed for treatment

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Maud Coffey’s family said they agreed with the jury’s verdict that Austin Mangan was not guilty of her murder by reason of insanity. On 19 December 2025, Mr Justice Paul Burns committed Mangan to the Central Mental Hospital for continuing treatment, with reviews every six months.

Mangan had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of Coffey at the Horizon Building in Royal Canal Park, Ashtown, Dublin, on 13 January 2023. The proceedings were reported on 19 December 2025.

The Central Criminal Court jury accepted defence psychiatrist Dr Ronan Mullaney’s evidence that Mangan was unable to refrain from the killing. State psychiatrist Dr Richard Church agreed that Mangan had a mental disorder but concluded that he had been able to refrain and did not qualify for the special verdict.

The family said they did not believe Mangan was responsible for Coffey’s death and wanted to work with the HSE to prevent similar tragedies. They criticised mental health services, saying he had not taken psychiatric medication for three months and had sought help the day before the killing but was given an appointment for the following week.

The trial heard that Mangan said he had sought an injection at Millmount Health Clinic but was not given one. Dr Mullaney said an appointment with a community psychiatric nurse was needed and was unavailable that day. He agreed that receiving the medication might have made no difference because it can take six weeks to take effect.

At the hearing, Coffey’s siblings described the impact of her death. Síofra Coffey said two lives had been destroyed and two families left reeling. Mr Justice Burns said the statements brought the sorrow, loss and hurt behind the verdict into sharp focus.