Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 3250Attempted murder, intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm · Co. Westmeath · 15 May 2024

Gary O'Shaughnessy committed to Central Mental Hospital after insanity verdict in brother's attack

Gary O'Shaughnessy, 39, was committed to the Central Mental Hospital in Portrane by Judge Tony Hunt on 24 April 2026 after a jury at the Central Criminal Court found him not guilty of attempted murder by reason of insanity for attacking his vulnerable, partially blind brother Mark with a hammer and knife in Mullingar in May 2024.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGary O'Shaughnessy was 39 years old at the time of the trial. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe victim Mark O'Shaughnessy was 42 years old. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe jury unanimously accepted that Gary was suffering from schizophrenia when he attempted to murder his brother. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe jury deliberated for 32 minutes before delivering its verdict. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGary had a history of non-compliance with his antipsychotic medication. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGary had not attended outpatient appointments in the lead-up to the attack. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatDuring the attack, Gary struck his brother with a hammer on the head. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatDuring the attack, Gary cut his brother's neck with a knife, exposing the internal structures of the neck. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe attack occurred at Ailesbury House, Lynn Road, Mullingar, Co Westmeath. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereGary was committed to the Central Mental Hospital in Portrane, Co Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe attack took place between 15 and 16 May 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe jury returned its verdict on 16 April 2026 at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenJudge Tony Hunt made the commitment order on Friday 24 April 2026. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeGary was charged with the attempted murder of his brother. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeGary was charged with intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to his brother. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeGary pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to both charges. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe commitment was made under section 13 of the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtRonan Kennedy SC prosecuted the case. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Apr2026
    Otheririshtimes.com, follow-up
    Man who attacked vulnerable brother with hammer and knife committed to Central Mental Hospital

    Reports the commitment order made by Judge Tony Hunt on 24 April 2026, committing Gary O'Shaughnessy to the Central Mental Hospital in Portrane following the 16 April 2026 jury verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, and details the trial evidence including the hammer and knife attack, the victim's vulnerability, and the defendant's schizophrenia diagnosis.

    victim, 42, male, irish (judged from name)accused, 39, male, irish (judged from name)