Judge slams DPP for charge over ‘suicide pact’ case

A JUDGE has severely criticised the DPP for prosecuting a man who entered a suicide pact with a female friend.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin directed a jury to find the 33-year-old defendant not guilty of aiding the woman’s suicide and said he was ‘shocked’ and ‘surprised’ that the man was put on trial.

The woman survived her attempt at taking her own life. The man had also intended to take his own life after they both wrote suicide notes to their families.

Judge Ó Donnabháin said it was obvious to everyone except the DPP that the case had ‘no foundation’.

The judge said he couldn’t understand how the DPP expected a jury to speculate on the mentality of a person in a ‘florid state of mind’.

He added: ‘I am surprised we are here. It is not my business to be shocked, but I am.’

During the hearing of the case Judge Ó Donnabháin asked the prosecution and defence barristers how the case had ever come before the courts.

‘I know the DPP has brought this case. Someone somewhere would want to ask what we are doing here? This is a court of crime.’

Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard that the young man and woman had both been feeling suicidal in October 2016. They had gone to a park in Cobh with the intention of taking their own lives. There was no suggestion that either party had come under duress from the other.

Judge Ó Donnabháin said the man was confused, and of an anxious state of mind, and that there was no suggestion of aiding and abetting his friend. The alarm was raised by a local man who contacted gardaí.

When gardaí arrived, they found the defendant in a distressed state.

Judge Ó Donnabháin stated that suicide was very prevalent in Ireland, and he commended organisations that help both suicidal people and families who have lost someone to suicide.