Prosecutors seek block on siege bail questions
The New South Wales Director of Public Prosecutions is seeking to stop the inquest into the Sydney siege from considering how gunman Man Haron Monis was out on bail.
Monis was on bail for more than 40 serious sexual assault charges and a charge of accessory to the murder of his former wife at the time he took 18 people hostage in the Lindt cafe in central Sydney on December 15, 2014.
The siege inquest is set to consider the circumstances of Monis’ bail.
Lawyer assisting the inquest, Jeremy Gormly SC, told a directions hearing in January the inquest would consider the question of whether prosecutors responded adequately to the application for, and granting of, bail for Monis.
A spokeswoman for the Coroner’s Office confirmed the DPP applied on Monday to stop the inquest from considering the issue of bail. Submissions will be presented to the coroner on June 5.
A DPP spokeswoman declined to comment.
The inquest heard yesterday Monis had “delusional” ideas he was being watched constantly, even in his bathroom, leading a psychiatrist to diagnose him as suffering chronic schizophrenia.
Dr Kristen Barrett told the inquest Monis was referred to her in May 2010 after being hospitalised the previous month with dizziness and weakness attributed to mental rather than physical causes.
Monis had “delusional” ideas that he was being constantly watched by Iranian and Australian government security agencies, Dr Barrett said.
Monis was fearful of using his Medicare card because he suspected surveillance and asked if his consultation with Dr Barrett was being recorded.
“My impression was that he had chronic schizophrenia and my treatment plan was to start anti-psychotic medication,” Dr Barrett told the court.
In September 2010, she prescribed an additional medication for anxiety after noticing symptoms of anxiety and depression in Monis.
Dr Barrett told the court Monis subsequently stopped his doses of both drugs by early 2011.
The hearing continues.