Mentally-ill man released

A man with a "serious psychotic illness" was released from Dublin District Court yesterday, even though there was no system in…

A man with a "serious psychotic illness" was released from Dublin District Court yesterday, even though there was no system in place to look after him.

Mr Derek McDermott (22), of Poplar Row, Dublin, had been charged with trespassing in the Mater Hospital on September 29th last.

Mr Philip Hannon said that a medical report dated July 9th showed that Mr McDermott had a "serious psychotic illness".

The State Solicitor agreed that Mr McDermott was unfit to plead.

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Judge William Hamill said that in those circumstances he had no option but to release Mr McDermott without making an order. He pointed out that this meant he could not make arrangements for his care, or make any conditions to protect injured parties.