Man from UK found unfit to plead for breaching 20-year ban on entering Ireland
Matthew Notman, a man in his 30s from Kirkby in Nottingham in the UK, was charged with breaching a 2022 court order that prohibited him from entering Ireland for 20 years and from communicating with a woman in west Cork, after allegedly arriving by ferry on 10 November 2024 and messaging her on Facebook Messenger on 13 and 14 November 2024. He appeared before Skibbereen District Court in January 2025, where a psychiatrist at the Central Mental Hospital reported that Notman was suffering from a major mental health illness and had been admitted following an acute psychotic episode characterised by grandiose delusions. Judge Helen Boyle found Notman unfit to plead, the Director of Public Prosecutions accepted the hospital report, and the case was sent forward to Cork Circuit Criminal Court. Notman will continue to receive treatment at the Central Mental Hospital, with an updated psychiatric report due to the court on 15 July 2025.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court4 Jul
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Matthew Notman, a man in his 30s from Kirkby in Nottingham in the UK, was charged with breaching a court order that prohibited him from entering Ireland for 20 years and from communicating with a woman living in west Cork.
- He allegedly entered Ireland by ferry from the UK on 10 November 2024 and communicated with the woman on Facebook Messenger on 13 and 14 November 2024.
- When
- The original prohibition order was made at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on 30 June 2022.
- Where
- Notman appeared before Skibbereen District Court in west Cork in January 2025.
- Investigation
- A psychiatrist at the Central Mental Hospital reported that Notman was suffering from a major mental health illness and had been admitted following an acute psychotic episode characterised by grandiose delusions.
- Other details
- Notman has a long-established history of major mental illness since the age of 21, including schizophrenia affective disorder and bipolar affective disorder.
- Defence barrister Paula McCarthy said her client intended to enter a guilty plea.
- In court
- Judge Helen Boyle found Notman unfit to plead, and the Director of Public Prosecutions accepted the findings of the hospital report.
- The case was sent forward to Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
- Sentence
- Notman will continue to receive treatment at the Central Mental Hospital, with an updated psychiatric report due to the court on 15 July 2025.
17 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe order prohibited Notman from communicating directly or indirectly with a woman living in west Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe was also ordered to stay out of Ireland for two decades. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe allegedly communicated with the woman on Facebook Messenger on 13 and 14 November 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe allegedly entered Ireland by ferry from the UK on 10 November 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA psychiatrist at the Central Mental Hospital indicated Notman was suffering from a major mental health illness. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe was admitted to the hospital following an acute psychotic episode characterised by grandiose delusions. (irishtimes.com)
- whatNotman is in his 30s. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDefence barrister Paula McCarthy said her client intended to enter a guilty plea. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe Director of Public Prosecutions accepted the findings of the hospital report. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe has had a long established history of major mental illness since the age of 21, including schizophrenia affective disorder and bipolar affective disorder. (irishtimes.com)
- whatNotman will continue to receive treatment at the Central Mental Hospital. (irishtimes.com)
- whereMatthew Notman lives at Laburnum House, Laburnum Avenue, Kirkby in Nottingham in the UK. (irishtimes.com)
- whenAn updated report will be furnished to the court on 15 July 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe appeared before Skibbereen District Court in west Cork in January 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe original order was made at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on 30 June 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was sent forward to Cork Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Helen Boyle said Notman was not fit to plead at the moment. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 4 Jul2025Man charged with breaching order to stay away from Ireland for 20 years
Reports that Notman was found unfit to plead due to major mental illness, with an updated psychiatric report due to the court on 15 July 2025.
accused, Matthew Notman, 30s, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Matthew Notmanvictim, female