Friday 30 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. 14270Murder · Co. Dublin · 7 Feb 2018

HSE settles High Court case over 2018 killing of Bryan Cassidy

On 7 February 2018 Bryan Cassidy was killed in the garden of his home in County Dublin, and the High Court was told that Adam, a 19-year-old man and the son of Fiona Nolan, had stabbed him. In January 2018 Ms Nolan had taken Adam to the emergency department of Tallaght University Hospital, where he was exhibiting paranoid, violent and psychotic thoughts about killing Mr Cassidy with a kitchen knife, and he was discharged about two weeks before the killing without follow-up. Adam was later found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity. In March 2025 the HSE settled a High Court action brought by Ms Nolan for €150,000, apologised for deficits in care given to her son and admitted a breach of duty of care, and Mr Justice Paul Coffey noted the settlement.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
Where
Bryan Cassidy was found in the garden of his home in County Dublin.
When
  • The killing happened on 7 February 2018.
  • Ms Nolan took Adam to the emergency department of Tallaght University Hospital in January 2018.
  • Adam was discharged from the emergency department about two weeks before the killing, without follow-up.
What happened
Adam, a 19-year-old man, is the son of Fiona Nolan, Bryan Cassidy's partner.
Other details
  • Adam was exhibiting paranoid, violent and psychotic thoughts about killing Bryan Cassidy.
  • Adam was told his thoughts were irrational and that he should see a counsellor.
  • The HSE apologised to Ms Nolan for deficits in care given to her son by psychiatric services at Tallaght University Hospital, and a breach of duty of care was admitted.
Weapon
Before the killing, Adam's thoughts involved a kitchen knife.
Cause
Bryan Cassidy was stabbed in the eye and six times in the abdomen.
Charges
The offence in the case is murder.
In court
  • Adam was found not guilty by reason of insanity of the murder.
  • The HSE settled a High Court action brought by Ms Nolan for €150,000 on 11 March 2025.
  • Mr Justice Paul Coffey noted the settlement.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe victim was found in the garden of his home. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe killing happened on 7 February 2018. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe accused was discharged from an emergency department about two weeks before the killing. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe accused's mother took him to the emergency department of Tallaght University Hospital in January 2018. (rte.ie)
  • causeThe victim was stabbed in the eye and six times in the abdomen. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe accused was later found not guilty by reason of insanity of the murder. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe HSE settled a High Court action for €150,000. (rte.ie)
  • courtMr Justice Paul Coffey noted the settlement. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe accused had paranoid, violent and psychotic thoughts about killing the victim with a kitchen knife before the killing. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe HSE apologised to the accused's mother for the deficits in care given to her son. (rte.ie)
  • otherA breach of duty of care was admitted in the case. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 11 Mar2025
    Otherrte.ie, first report
    HSE settles case over man who killed mother's partner

    Civil High Court settlement by the HSE with the accused's mother, with an apology and admitted breach of duty of care. The article gives the 2018 killing details and that the accused was found not guilty by reason of insanity.

    accused, Adam, 19, male, named, irish (judged from name)Adamvictim, Bryan Cassidy, 52, male, irish (judged from name)Bryan Cassidy