Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Emmett Cullen found not guilty by reason of insanity for hotel assault and damage in Limerick
Dr Emmett Cullen, a 50-year-old orthopaedic surgeon, allegedly assaulted three guests and caused more than €40,000 in damage at the Clayton Hotel, Steamboat Quay, Limerick, on 4 May 2023, swinging fire extinguishers at them. He was arrested under the Mental Health Act and charged with three counts of assault causing harm, one count of criminal damage, and one count of using a fire extinguisher as a weapon. At his trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court in June 2026, forensic psychiatrists for both sides testified he was in a psychotic episode. A jury of six men and six women returned unanimous verdicts of not guilty by reason of insanity on all charges after 27 minutes of deliberation.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court9 Jun
- Acquitted11 Jun
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Cullen allegedly assaulted three guests, including two women in their 70s, and caused more than €40,000 in damage at the hotel.
- Where
- The incident took place at the Clayton Hotel, Steamboat Quay, Limerick.
- When
- The incident occurred on 4 May 2023.
- Weapon
- Cullen armed himself with two fire extinguishers.
- Investigation
- ASU members were deployed to the hotel and used a taser and pepper spray to subdue and apprehend Cullen, who was initially detained under the Mental Health Act.
- Charges
- Cullen was charged with three counts of assault causing harm, one count of criminal damage, and one count of using a fire extinguisher as a weapon.
- In court
- The trial was held at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Colin Daly and a jury of six men and six women.
- A jury returned unanimous verdicts of not guilty by reason of insanity on all charges after 27 minutes of deliberation.
- Other details
- Cullen had a prior diagnosis of bipolar affective type 1 and had attended inpatient psychiatric services on a number of occasions after suffering manic episodes.
- Cullen had stopped taking his medication after developing a slight tremor in his hands as a side effect.
- Cullen returned to work on a part-time basis nine months after the incident after entering remission from the illness.
22 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCullen assaulted three other guests causing them harm. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCCTV showed Cullen swinging a fire extinguisher at two women in their 70s and smashing a table they were sitting at, causing cuts to their fingers. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe family retreated via an emergency exit with a group of US tourists and took refuge in a nearby apartment block. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCullen told Bradshaw he was going to smash him in the face. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCullen was a consultant orthopaedic surgeon who specialised in hip replacement surgeries. (irishtimes.com)
- whatArmed gardaí subdued Cullen on the night using a taser and pepper spray. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCullen returned to work on a part-time basis nine months later after entering remission from the illness. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCullen had attended inpatient psychiatric services on a number of occasions after suffering manic episodes. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCullen had stopped taking his medication after developing a slight tremor in his hands as a side effect. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe damage at the hotel was more than €40,000 worth. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCullen was arrested under the Mental Health Act. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident took place at the Clayton Hotel, Steamboat Quay, Limerick. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident occurred at the Clayton Hotel, Steamboat Quay, Limerick, on 4 May 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponCullen armed himself with two fire extinguishers. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationASU members were deployed to the hotel and discharged a taser and pepper spray to subdue and apprehend Cullen. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationCullen was initially detained under the Mental Health Act as gardaí believed he may have had a mental breakdown and a psychotic episode. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeCullen pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to charges of assaulting three people, producing a fire extinguisher as a weapon, and causing criminal damage. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeCullen was charged with one count of causing criminal damage, three counts of assault causing harm, and one count of using a fire extinguisher as a weapon. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial continues before a jury of six women and six men. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA jury of six men and six women returned unanimous verdicts on all charges after 27 minutes of deliberation. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial was presided over by Judge Colin Daly. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge excused the jury from jury service for the next three years after the verdicts. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 11 Jun2026Orthopaedic surgeon accused of trashing hotel and assaulting guests found not guilty by reason of insanity
Reports the verdict of the three-day trial. Cullen was found not guilty by reason of insanity on all five charges after forensic psychiatrists for both sides testified he was in a psychotic episode. He had a prior diagnosis of bipolar affective type 1 and had been experiencing high levels of stress.
accused, Dr Emmett Cullen, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dr Emmett Cullenvictim, 70s, femalevictim, 70s, femalevictim, male - 9 Jun2026Surgeon accused of going ‘completely berserk’ and assaulting three at Limerick hotel pleads not guilty
Opening day of trial; Cullen pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity; CCTV footage of the 20-minute incident shown; witness statements from a family staying at the hotel read; ASU used taser and pepper spray to subdue Cullen; he was initially detained under the Mental Health Act; trial continues before a jury of six women and six men.
accused, Dr Emmett Cullen, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dr Emmett Cullenvictimvictimvictim