Ireland Man found guilty of manslaughter of 88-year-old in Cork hospital ward attack
On 22 January 2023, Matthew Healy, an 88-year-old man, died after being punched more than 20 times by another patient in a ward at Mercy University Hospital in Cork. The other patient, Dylan Magee, a 33-year-old man from Churchfield Green in Cork, had been admitted to the same ward suffering hallucinations. Magee pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility, and after three days of evidence the jury at the Central Criminal Court returned a guilty verdict on that charge. At the sentencing hearing reported on 27 March 2026, Healy's daughter asked the judge for the maximum sentence permitted by law, the defence argued the judge is bound by previous superior court judgments on diminished responsibility, and a Probation Service report found Magee at moderate risk of re-offending. The judge will sentence Magee on 17 April.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted27 Mar
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Matthew Healy, an 88-year-old man, was punched more than 20 times by another patient while in a hospital bed.
- Dylan Magee, a 33-year-old man from Churchfield Green in Cork, was admitted to the same ward suffering hallucinations.
- Where
- The attack took place in Room 2 of St Joseph's Ward at Mercy University Hospital in Cork.
- When
- Matthew Healy died after the attack on 22 January 2023.
- Other details
- Matthew Healy was a retired farmer from Berrings, Co Cork.
- A Probation Service report found Magee to be at moderate risk of re-offending.
- Healy's daughter asked the judge to impose the absolute maximum sentence permitted by law.
- Cause
- Magee had taken cannabis and claimed to have taken 120 benzodiazepine tablets in the week before his hospital admission.
- A hospital toxicology screening also showed morphine in Magee's system.
- Charges
- Magee pleaded not guilty to murdering Matthew Healy but guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.
- In court
- The jury at the Central Criminal Court returned a guilty verdict of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility after three days of evidence.
- The defence said the judge is bound by previous superior court judgments on diminished responsibility.
- Sentence
- The judge will sentence Magee on 17 April.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe attack took place in Room 2 of St Joseph's Ward at Mercy University Hospital in Cork. (rte.ie)
- whenMatthew Healy died after the attack on 22 January 2023. (rte.ie)
- causeMatthew Healy was punched more than 20 times by another patient in the ward. (rte.ie)
- causeMagee had taken cannabis and claimed to have taken 120 benzodiazepine tablets in the week before his hospital admission. (rte.ie)
- chargeMagee pleaded not guilty to murdering Matthew Healy but guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. (rte.ie)
- courtThe jury at the Central Criminal Court returned a guilty verdict of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility after three days of evidence. (rte.ie)
- courtThe defence said the judge is bound by previous superior court judgments on diminished responsibility. (rte.ie)
- sentenceThe judge will sentence Magee on 17 April. (rte.ie)
- otherA Probation Service report found Magee to be at moderate risk of re-offending. (rte.ie)
- otherHealy's daughter asked the judge to impose the absolute maximum sentence permitted by law. (rte.ie)
- otherMatthew Healy was 88 years old when he died. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 27 Mar2026Daughter of victim asks judge to impose maximum sentence
Reports the sentencing hearing after the jury verdict: victim impact statement, the family's call for the maximum sentence, the defence's mitigation on diminished responsibility, and that sentencing is set for 17 April.
victim, Matthew Healy, 88, male, irish (judged from name)Matthew Healyconvicted, Dylan Magee, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dylan Magee