GUILTY BUT INSANE - THE INSANITY DEFENSE IN IRELAND, 1850-1995

Background This is a retrospective study describing sociodemographic a nd clinical characteristics of an almost complete sample of insanity a cquittees in ireland between 1850 and 1995. Method Case records and le gal files were examined for each of the 437 patients admitted to the C entral Mental Hospital under guilty but insane criteria, and a profile of sociodemographic, forensic and clinical data completed on each. Re sults The number of insanity acquittees has fallen five-fold since the 19th century. Acquittees were usually single males from rural areas, aged in their 30s, who had committed a violent crime while suffering f rom a major psychiatric illness. Female insanity acquittees were relat ively; few in number and were equally likely to have been charged with violent crime, especially against their own children. The mean length of detention was 14.5 years. Conclusions The insanity defence is rare ly used in Ireland, is largely confined to serious offences (especiall y homicide), and generally results in prolonged detention.