Patrick Dunne found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity

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

Patrick Dunne was found not guilty of murdering his mother, Susan Dunne, by reason of insanity at the Central Criminal Court on 21 October 2022. The unanimous jury returned its verdict to Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring after deliberating for three and a half hours.

Dunne had pleaded not guilty to murdering his 62-year-old mother between 26 and 27 November 2013 at their address in Ballingeragh, Lixnaw, Co Kerry. He admitted killing her without lawful justification but denied murder.

The court heard that Susan Dunne died after six hatchet wounds to the head while in bed. Patrick Dunne told gardaí he had lost control after an argument over the cost of an iPhone. Psychiatrists for both sides agreed that he was legally insane at the time of her death.

After the verdict, Dunne was remanded to the Central Mental Hospital. Justice Ring adjourned the matter to 4 November for a medical update and the preparation of a victim impact statement.

At a later hearing, a victim impact statement from Susan Dunne’s daughter, Helen Sheehy, was read into the record by prosecuting counsel Dominic McGinn. She said the death might have been avoided with better supports and that Patrick deserved the help and support he needed. The proceedings were reported on 2 November 2022.

Justice Ring said she would order that Dunne continue his progress in the Central Mental Hospital.