A judge at Waterford District Court recently directed for a man in custody to receive an urgent psychiatric report, as questions were raised over his fitness to plead.
The man cannot be named as the case was heard at a recent in-camera court sitting before Judge Darach McCarthy.
The accused is charged with two alleged breaches of a civil restraining order, contrary to Section 44 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) 2023.
The court firstly heard that although a report on the man from a prison psychiatrist was completed, this did not indicate whether he would be fit to engage in proceedings or indicate a plea.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Ken Cunningham said his client is “not well at all”, and although a direction was given for the charges to remain at the District Court, there are ‘slight’ aggravating factors in the case that could result in further charges being brought against him.
It was noted that the man has been in custody on the charges since May 2026, and has no previous convictions.
Judge McCarthy said that his primary concern was over the man’s fitness to plead, and whether he is in the right place to deal with the case. The judge made a direction for an urgent psychiatric report on the accused to be completed, in order to determine his fitness to indicate a plea.
Judge McCarthy said this would be a direction from the court and should be completed with “absolute urgency.”
Mr. Cunningham asked for a short adjournment to “keep the pressure on” in order for the case to be dealt with.
The judge remanded the accused in custody until Tuesday 23 June, when he will appear again in court via video link.
Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Robyn Power
