Man (20) deemed insane in sex assault case

A 20-year-old man who faced 29 charges of sexually assaulting children was found to be insane by a jury today and was remanded…

A 20-year-old man who faced 29 charges of sexually assaulting children was found to be insane by a jury today and was remanded in custody to the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum.

Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard that the young man - who cannot be named for legal reasons - faced 29 charges of sexually assaulting 11 girls and three boys aged between five and 10 years, on dates between April 1997 and June 2000, when he was a teenager.

Evidence was given by two psychiatrists Dr David Dunne and Dr Eugene Morgan on behalf of both the prosecution and defence, that the accused was not fit to stand trial as he would not be capable of understanding proceedings, such as instructing a solicitor in the case.

Following the unanimous finding of insanity by the jury, Judge Patrick Moran directed that the young man be remanded in custody to the hospital in Dundrum, where the law dictates that he will remain at the will of the State.