Court dismisses DPP bid to raise psychiatric patient’s sentence

THE Court of Criminal Appeal has dismissed the DPP’s bid to increase the 10-year prison sentence imposed on a psychiatric patient who admitted stabbing two health workers in a “frenzied” attack at a hospital in Limerick.

In its judgment, the court said the appeal against the sentence imposed on Anthony McMahon raised “an important and difficult issue in relation to the sentencing of mentally ill offenders who pose a serious risk of harming others”.

The court also said the question of sentencing courts being given powers to detain those deemed a threat to the public beyond any sentence for the crime committed should be addressed by detailed legislation from the Government, as well appropriate debate.