Psychiatrist blames drugs for rampage

A MAN who went on the rampage at Cork Airport was not insane at the time but acted as he did as a result of being intoxicated…

A MAN who went on the rampage at Cork Airport was not insane at the time but acted as he did as a result of being intoxicated, a psychiatrist has claimed.

Dr Damian Mohan was called by the prosecution at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to rebut defence evidence given by his colleague at the Central Mental Hospital, Dr Paul O’Connell, that Edward Stapleton (38) was insane at the time.

Dr Mohan was adamant Mr Stapleton’s actions stemmed from taking drugs, which is not covered by the Criminal Law Insanity Act which allows a person to be found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Mr Stapleton, of no fixed abode, denies 12 charges relating to events in May 2011. The case continues.

Barry Roche

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times