Cork man to be sentenced next week for killing elderly hospital patient

88-year-old Matthew Healy was killed in January 2023 at Mercy University Hospital

Dylan Magee (pictured) was found not guilty of murder but guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. Picture: Dan Linehan

Sentencing of a 33-year-old hospital patient who punched an 88-year-old patient to death at Mercy University Hospital will go ahead on March 27, it emerged on Thursday as it was confirmed that the pre-sentencing probation report would be available.

Defence senior counsel Brendan Grehan confirmed that the probation report would be available at the Central Criminal Court in Cork next Friday.

Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford said on Thursday that the case could remain in the sentencing list for March 27.

After a trial, Dylan Magee of 30 Churchfield Green, Cork, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. The killing occurred on January 22, 2023, at Room 2, St. Joseph’s Ward, Mercy University Hospital, and the victim was Matthew Healy.

The late Mr Healy’s family will have an opportunity to describe the impact that his killing had on the family through a victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing.

Mr Grehan said after the verdict was delivered: “Mr Magee wants at the earliest available opportunity to express his deep remorse for what happened Mr Healy and the distress he obviously caused to his family and friends.” 

Ms Justice Lankford told the jury before they commenced their deliberations that they could well take the view that 33-year-old Dylan Magee, who was admitted to hospital for treatment for delirium, and 88-year-old Matthew Healy who had a fall at home, were both let down by the system.