Cork mother says drugs turned son into 'husk of a man'
Her Son Of Was Case A Linehan Heavy Defendant’s A Sat She Down Statement Victim Said Mother Involving Respect A Very Dan In Heart Impact The Picture: To With Own It Write
A mother who was put in fear by her own 25-year-old son found it devastating to see using drugs had turned him into a “husk of a man” descending into psychosis.
The woman said at an in-camera sitting of Cork District Court she had been put in fear by him on November 30.
Sergeant Gearóid Davis outlined the background to the incident which resulted in the accused being remanded in custody.
“He damaged property, threw items out the bathroom window. He broke a heater off the bathroom wall. He was making lunging gestures towards her,” he said.
The defendant’s mother said it was with a very heavy heart she sat down to write a victim impact statement in respect of a case involving her own son.
“As his psychosis deepened he became delusional, paranoid and he lost the ability to function normally. While he was destroying his life he was also destroying the lives of others.
“With mental health services refusing to help, we turned to the gardaí. We will be forever grateful for their help,” she said.
Judge Dorgan said it was an extremely fair victim impact statement. Sergeant Davis agreed: “She has been unbelievably fair.”
Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said: “He is deeply remorseful for his behaviour.”
Afterwards, the defendant scarcely remembered what he had done, such was his delusional and psychotic state, Mr Buttimer said.
The solicitor added when he first encountered the accused it was impossible to take instructions from him. Fortunately, three days later, the accused had recovered a significant amount of function.
After a period of difficulty, the last four years were positive and he had a fulltime job.
“But recently, because of some drug experimentation, he ended up in this condition last month. His family are relieved there has been a recovery… It is all down to taking a substance — it is as simple as that,” Mr Buttimer said.
The young man appeared in Cork District Court by video link from prison. Judge Dorgan asked where he saw his life going. He said he had college and a job and he was going to return to playing team sport and hoped to travel to Australia. He was keen to get out of prison.
The judge said she would remand him in continuing custody for a probation report until January 13.
As the matter was being adjourned the defendant said: “I grew up with an alcoholic parent — that is what kickstarted all of this.”