'Just and humane society' seeks not to punish those who are unwell, defence reminds murder trial jury

A 39-year-old man from Gweedore in County Donegal was found not guilty of murdering his grandfather by reason of insanity following a jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court on 27 March. Derek Mulligan had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the killing of Derek Burns, aged 78, at Carrickcoyle on 19 December 2023. The jury, deliberating for over two hours, returned majority verdicts on all five counts, including charges related to property damage, threats, and assault on two other individuals committed two days before the fatal incident. Expert psychiatric evidence presented during the trial established that Mulligan was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia at the time of the offences. Both prosecution and defence consultant psychiatrists converged in their assessment that he met the criteria for the special verdict. Medical testimony disclosed that Mulligan had experienced auditory hallucinations for many years and had ceased taking prescribed antipsychotic medication approximately three months prior to the killing. Evidence also revealed Mulligan's childhood sexual abuse and documented that the 2021 release from prison of his abuser had significantly affected his mental health deterioration. During closing arguments, defence counsel emphasised that a just and humane society extends specialist care rather than punishment to those suffering serious mental illness, referencing Mulligan's complex trauma history and psychiatric decline. Justice Eileen Creedon accepted the jury's verdicts and committed Mulligan to the Central Mental Hospital in Portrane with immediate effect, pending psychiatric assessment. A further court appearance was scheduled for 31 March, with Mulligan subsequently remaining under hospital order following a full assessment in mid-April. A consultant forensic psychiatrist confirmed he continues to require ongoing inpatient treatment for his diagnosed mental disorder.