Mayo jury returns insanity verdict in telecoms damage case

A jury at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court has returned a not guilty by reason of insanity verdict in respect of an aeronautical engineer charged with damaging telecommunications infrastructure across Mayo and Galway. Adrian Behan, aged 44 of Newport Road, Castlebar, faced 23 counts of criminal damage and 10 counts of theft relating to offences committed between September and October 2023. The jury's unanimous verdict was reached after less than 30 minutes' deliberation on the second day of trial. Evidence indicated Behan damaged or stole equipment at ten sites including locations at Claremorris, Balla, Castlebar and Knock, affecting service providers including Eir, Vodafone, Three Ireland and others. A consultant psychiatrist testified that Behan was experiencing an acute psychotic episode caused by schizophrenia when committing the offences. Judge Eoin Garavan noted that medical supervision was disrupted during Covid lockdown, contributing to deterioration in Behan's condition. The judge observed Behan had resumed medication and remained stable since his hospital release in April 2024.