A man who was charged with murdering his mother was found guilty but insane at the Central Criminal Court yesterday. Anthony Lynch (27), of Drumbarkey, Cootehill, Co Cavan, had admitted being the cause of his mother's death, but had denied being guilty of the murder of Mrs Sheila Lynch (44), of the same address, at their home on December 19th, 1998. The jury of eight women and four men brought back the unanimous verdict of guilty but insane after spending under two hours in deliberation.
Mr Justice Murphy thanked the jury for their efforts and made an order that Lynch was to be detained at the Central Mental Hospital at Dundrum, Co Dublin.
Previously the court had heard that the accused was on his way to the psychiatric division of Cavan General Hospital when his mother was found strangled in her bed at her home.