Psychologist's report cited at Sheedy hearing

Concern about the mental condition of Philip Sheedy is believed to have been cited by the Circuit Criminal Court judge who last November suspended the balance of the sentence imposed on the Dublin architect for dangerous driving, causing death. Judge Cyril Kelly is believed to have referred to "grave concerns" about Sheedy's mental state when suspending three of the four years of the sentence on his own bond of good behaviour.

He cited a psychologist's report which gave rise to worries about Sheedy's mental stability, and counsel for Sheedy was apparently not required to make submissions in the case.

It was pointed out that the review date - October 29th, 1999 - had been cancelled by Judge Joseph Mathews and the sentence was then suspended.

The architect was released from jail after serving one year, but after the decision was challenged by the Director of Public Prosecutions, he returned to Mountjoy Prison to resume his sentence.

At a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Women's Rights last Thursday, the Fine Gael spokesman on justice, Mr Jim Higgins, demanded that the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, make available a transcript of the November court hearing.

Neither the Chief Justice's report on the case nor that of the Department of Justice is expected to reach Government until early next week.

Progress in the case is also to be discussed again by the Oireachtas committee before its scheduled meeting next Tuesday.