Thursday 29 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. 9308Criminal damage and assault causing harm · Co. Limerick · 4 May 2023

Surgeon found not guilty by reason of insanity over Limerick hotel damage and assaults

On 4 May 2023, a surgeon, Dr Emmet Cullen, was alleged to have damaged the Clayton Hotel on Steamboat Quay, Limerick, and to have assaulted three guests, two women in their 70s and a man, with fire extinguishers. Cullen was arrested under the Mental Health Act and charged with one count of criminal damage, three counts of assault causing harm and one count of using a fire extinguisher as a weapon. At Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, the defence argued that Cullen was suffering a psychotic episode, and a jury returned unanimous not guilty by reason of insanity verdicts on all charges after 27 minutes. The latest development, reported on 1 June 2026, is that these verdicts were returned, and the sources report no sentence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Acquitted1 Jun
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A surgeon, Dr Emmet Cullen (spelled Emmett in one source), was found not guilty by reason of insanity on all charges.
  • The prosecution alleged Cullen assaulted two female hotel patrons in their 70s by smashing glass with a fire extinguisher, cutting their hands.
  • The prosecution alleged Cullen struck a male guest with a fire extinguisher, causing a cut to the man's arm.
Where
The incident happened at the Clayton Hotel, Steamboat Quay, Limerick.
When
The incident happened on 4 May 2023.
Weapon
CCTV footage showed Cullen armed with two fire extinguishers in the hotel lobby, bar, restaurant and kitchen area.
Cause
The defence argued Cullen was suffering a psychotic episode and was not aware of what he was doing; he had a prior diagnosis of bipolar affective type 1 and was under high stress at the time.
Investigation
Cullen was arrested under the Mental Health Act.
Charges
Cullen was charged with one count of criminal damage, three counts of assault causing harm and one count of using a fire extinguisher as a weapon.
In court
A jury of six men and six women returned unanimous verdicts after 27 minutes at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
The sources report no sentence.
Other details
Cullen paid the hotel €49,000 in compensation after the incident.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDr Emmett Cullen was found not guilty by reason of insanity on all charges. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe prosecution alleged Cullen assaulted two hotel female patrons in their 70s by smashing glass with a fire extinguisher, causing cuts to their hands. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe prosecution alleged Cullen struck a male guest with a fire extinguisher, causing a cut to the man's arm. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened at the Clayton Hotel, Steamboat Quay, Limerick. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on 4 May 2023. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe defence argued Cullen was suffering a psychotic episode at the time and was not aware of what he was doing. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationCullen was arrested under the Mental Health Act. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeCullen was charged with one count of criminal damage, three counts of assault causing harm and one count of using a fire extinguisher as a weapon. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtA jury of six men and six women returned unanimous verdicts on all charges after 27 minutes at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherCCTV footage showed Cullen armed with two fire extinguishers thrashing the hotel lobby, bar, restaurant and kitchen area. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherCullen had a prior diagnosis of bipolar affective type 1 and was experiencing high stress at the time. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherCullen had paid the hotel €49,000 in compensation after the incident. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Jun2026
    Acquittedthejournal.ie, first report
    Surgeon accused of trashing hotel and assaulting guests found not guilty by reason of insanity

    Reports the jury verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity on all five charges, the evidence of psychiatric illness, and the €49,000 compensation paid to the hotel.

    convicted, Dr Emmett Cullen, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dr Emmett Cullenvictim, 70s, femalevictim, 70s, femalevictim, male