Man's killing of his grandmother sums up 'crisis in Ireland's mental health services', court told

The man was sentenced to nine years, mitigated to five years and with the last 18 months suspended on condition

Judge Sinéad Behan said: 'There seems to be no capacity from the Central Mental Hospital or from the National Forensic Mental Health Service.' Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

The unlawful killing of an elderly and unwell woman by her grandson in the family home could have been prevented with the appropriate psychiatric care, a Circuit Court judge said as she sentenced him to five years with the last 18 months suspended for the manslaughter.

Judge Sinéad Behan said the woman who is mother of the defendant and daughter of the deceased had done everything in her power to get the appropriate psychiatric care for him.