Waterford man who stabbed priest found not guilty by reason of insanity
The priest was stabbed multiple times in the UHW Chaplain House. Photo: Joe Evans
A 26-year-old Waterford man who stabbed a priest has been found not guilty by reason of insanity after a two-day trial.
Anthony Sweeney, formerly of O'Connell Court, Penrose Lane, in Waterford city, appeared at Waterford Circuit Court for stabbing a priest at the University Hospital Waterford (UHW) Chaplain House four years ago.
On October 30, 2022, Sweeney attacked Father Bobit Augusthy with a knife while in the midst of a major mental health collapse. He had absconded from the Department of Psychiatry nearby and entered the house. He attacked Fr. Augusthy believing that he wasn't real and part of a 'simulation'.
Two consultant psychiatrists, representing both the State and defence counsel, confirmed that Sweeney could not understand the gravity of his actions as he believed he was living in a 'simulation'. At the time of the offence, he was suffering from paranoia, grandiose delusions and feelings of suicidal ideation. He has since been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Judge Eugene O'Kelly presided over the proceedings, while Niall Storan BL acted as State Prosecutor. Sweeney was represented by Gareth Hayden BL and Colman Cody SC.
The jury of five women and seven men spent 20 minutes in deliberations before returning the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.
Anthony Sweeney was admitted to the Department of Psychiatry at UHW after a series of erratic actions. On October 28, 2022, he attempted to board a JJ Kavanagh's bus to Dublin. He sat in the driver's seat and pushed a button, prompting an altercation with the driver. Gardaí attended the scene and noted he was 'incoherent' and 'erratic'.
The next morning at Plunkett Station, he attempted to board a train to Dublin with no ticket. Gardaí arrested him under the Mental Health Act and brought him to UHW.
On the morning of October 30, 2022, he was seen by a nurse walking along the grass outside the ward, wearing a jacket and no shoes. The nurse alerted their unit manager and security that a patient had left the premises.
Just after 9am, Sweeney entered the Chaplain House. There were three priests in the house at the time, including Fr. Augusthy. Sweeney believed that the priest "was not real" and heard voices telling him to attack him. Sweeney found a peeling knife and attacked Fr. Augusthy, stabbing him multiple times in the face and back.
Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Kezanne Tong appeared as part of the prosecution's evidence and gave her expert assessment of the accused's condition. She informed the jury how Sweeney met the criteria for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Sweeney grew up in a home impacted by domestic violence, once witnessing his father stab his mother. There was a family history of depression and schizophrenia.
Dr. Brenda Wright also gave expert evidence on behalf of the defence. She said that Sweeney could hear voices from "entities" telling him what to do.
"He believed that 'strident behaviour' would be rewarded with great power," she said.
Both Mr. Storan and Mr. Cody impressed on the jury that by returning a special verdict, they were not "letting Mr. Sweeney off the hook".
Under the Section 5(3)(a) ruling, when a person is found not guilty by reason of insanity, they are in need of in-patient care or treatment in a designated centre. The statute reads: "The court may commit that person to a specified designated centre for a period of not more than 14 days and direct that during such period he or she be examined by an approved medical officer at that centre."
