Trial hears Limerick consultant accused of assault and criminal damage was experiencing 'manic episode'

THE TRIAL of an orthopaedic surgeon who is accused of assaulting three people and causing nearly €40,000 worth of damage at a Limerick hotel has heard he was suffering from a manic episode at the time of the incident.

Dr Emmett Cullen, now aged 50, with an address at Mill Road, Corbally, Limerick, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to five charges arising from an incident at the Clayton Hotel on May 4, 2023.

The trial, which began on Tuesday, is continuing before a jury of six men and six women at Limerick Circuit Court.

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Giving evidence this Wednesday, Detective Garda Gareth Walsh told Judge Colin Daly and the jury that he and a colleague interviewed Dr Cullen at Henry Street garda station the day after the incident.

When questioned by authorities, the accused said he was “acting the b*llox up the road” and that what took place was "unavoidable" since he had to find his children.

It was heard that the surgeon’s children were not, and had not been, present at the hotel during this time.

Also during the garda interview, the accused stated that he believed at least 40 people were running at him and that children with “red eyes” were in the vicinity.

Dr Cullen said that he does not recall many events from May 4, 2023 but accepts full responsibility if this is what occurred on the night. He told gardaí he would pay for the damages.

Jurors heard that the accused man paid a sum of €49,000 to the Clayton Hotel following the dispute.

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Appearing via video-link, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist for the prosecution, Dr Ronan Mullaney, informed the court that he interviewed Dr Cullen and prepared a report.

Dr Mullaney disclosed that the defendant was diagnosed with type one bipolar affective disorder in 2019 after a manic episode for which he was hospitalised.

He was prescribed medication for the illness but there was “poor” compliance with taking some of it due to side effects.

Dr Cullen was admitted to hospital again in 2023 following his arrest. At the time of the interview, the surgeon was described as stable and on medication.

It was the psychiatrist’s view that some of the witness statements point to there being an evident absence of normal social boundaries as well as an inconsistency with reality.

The accused is also alleged to have shouted at a young child, which Dr Mullaney said clearly shows “no bearing in any objective reality.”

In evidence he said it is his belief that Dr Emmett Cullen appeared to be experiencing a manic episode with psychotic symptoms at the time of the alleged offences.

Dr Simon Mitchell, a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist for the defence, also met with the accused for an assessment.

Addressing Limerick Circuit Court via video-link, he said it is his view that the surgeon was manic with psychotic symptoms during the event and that the evidence shows his severely compromised mental state at this time.

He confirmed that Dr Cullen still has no memory of what took place on May 4, 2023 and said that what unfolded on the night was “driven by illness.”

Both psychiatrists told the jury, separately, that they were satisfied that cause for a verdict of ‘not guilty by reason of insanity’ had been established.

Judge Daly was told that since his discharge from hospital, the accused has consistently engaged with outpatient services and attends a psychologist.

Dr Cullen returned to work nine months after the offences on a part-time basis. The court heard that he informed the medical council of the incident and that he has had not had any symptoms since he achieved remission.

The trial continues at Limerick Circuit Court this Thursday before Judge Colin Daly and a jury of six men and six women.