The trial of Barefield Man Joe Heffernan has been told he knew what he was doing was wrong when he killed Ennis student Eoin Ryan.
A forensic Psychiatrist from the Central Mental Hospital is due to be cross examined today at the Central Criminal Court in the trial of the farmer who has pleaded Not Guilty to the murder of the 21-year-old student from Newhall two years ago.
Dr. Sally Linehan interviewed Joe Heffernan three times and told the jury he was suffering from an adjustment disorder, characterised by depressive symptoms in the aftermath of the death of his father.
She said his symptoms were complicated by alcohol misuse.
Asked if the accused satisfied the criteria for insanity under the Criminal Law Act, Dr. Linehan said that although he had a mental disorder, Mr Heffernan did not satisfy the other criteria.
She added he did know that what he was doing was wrong – referring to the second criterion for the defence of insanity – noting that he had told Gardaí he was not going to prison, showing an awareness that a crime had been committed.
Asked about the possibility of diminished responsibility, which could provide for someone with a mental disorder being found guilty of manslaughter rather than murder – Dr Linehan said "That’s a matter for the jury but she said she was not satisfied that his mental disorder was such to substantially diminish responsibility and that Joe Heffernan had the capacity to form intent.
