Motorist in Limerick collision was 'trying to kill her family'
A WOMAN who “harboured delusional thoughts” told gardai “I tried to kill my family” after the car she was driving was involved in a serious road traffic collision, Limerick Circuit Court heard.
The defendant - who has bipolar disorder with manic / psychotic features - was convinced, in days prior to the incident, that the IRA were “after her” and a paedophile ring had an interest in a family member. The court heard that in her confused state she believed unknown persons “were going to kill us all”.
Judge Tom O’Donnell said it was one of the “most complex cases” that has come before him. The judge ordered reporting restrictions on identifying the accused and those in the vehicle.
Lily Buckley BL, instructed by State Solicitor Aidan Judge, outlined the facts of the case with the assistance of Detective Sergeant Michael Reidy.
Ms Buckley said the accused, who has a history of mental health difficulties, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm. On a date in 2021 in a location in Limerick, the defendant asked a family member and a child to go for a drive.
“She was in a rush to get going,” said Ms Buckley, who said the person in the passenger seat didn’t have a chance to put her seatbelt on and asked the accused to “slow down”.
“She dropped gears to go faster. She drove through a junction, clipped a kerb and the car went into the air,” said Ms Buckley.
Det Sgt Reidy said when gardai arrived on the scene the accused’s immediate utterance was “I tried to kill my family”.
The woman in the passenger seat suffered broken bones and other injuries.
Det Sgt Reidy said she has “lasting mobility effects”. The child in the vehicle suffers from PTSD.
Gardai subsequently secured a disqualification from driving order on the defendant.
Brian McInerney SC, who represented the accused, put it to Det Sgt Reidy that his client was under the delusion that a paedophile ring had an interest in a family member. “Yes,” said Det Sgt Reidy.
The court had earlier heard that she feared the IRA were “after her”.
A consultant psychiatrist gave evidence that the defendant had bipolar disorder with manic / psychotic features and had stopped taking her medication prior to the incident.
The psychiatrist said the accused had “no insight into what she was doing” and “her behaviour was beyond her control” as she was “in the throes of illness”.
The psychiatrist said her patient was a patient in a psychiatric unit and her prognosis is “excellent” while she takes her medication.
It is administered in the form of an injection in a clinic every three months.
The court also heard that the defendant could have pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
In mitigation, Mr McInerney said the circumstances were very upsetting and distressing.
“It was a psychotic episode. She suffered from delusions. She is now stable,” said Mr McInerney, who added that his client wishes to apologise.
Judge Tom O’Donnell adjourned sentencing until May.