Hostage-taker ‘at risk of mental health relapse’

A farm worker who subjected an elderly man, his daughter and her fiance to a terrifying hostage ordeal involving a double barrelled shotgun is at significant risk of relapse in his mental health.

That is according to Dr Ronan Mullaney of the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) who told Ennis Circuit Court yesterday that Mr Howard, 50, suffers from severe depression that has psychotic features and distortions in his thinking.

Dr Mullaney said that Mr Howard of Gortnaminch, Listowel is currently in remission from his severe depression with the accompanying symptoms but is at “significant risk of relapse”.