A brain-injured man, in prison for threatening the life of his former partner in a birthday card to their nine-year-old daughter, was given a lifeline at the most recent sitting of the Circuit Court in Athlone (February 23 ) when he was given leave to attend for hospital treatment.
Michael Tully (36 ), of Curraghbawn, Drumlish, Co Longford had been in jail since December for breaching the safety order, as Gardai believed him to be “a genuine danger” to his ex-partner whom he had threatened whilst on release on appeal from an 11-month sentence for the same crime. At his last appearance, the judge noted Tully’s given address was only 14 miles from that of his victim’s.
However, the court was reminded how Tully is suffering from an acquired brain injury from a serious car crash in June 2008 and is due to see a neurological psychologist later this month in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin to see if he might be suitable for treatment with Headway Ireland. It was the arrangements for this visit that worried the judge at Tully’s last appearance in court as a prison escort could not be guaranteed on the day in question.
State solicitor, Mr Peter D Jones, sought that Tully be referred to the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum where “there is adequate security”. He reminded Judge Anthony Kennedy “The Prison Service won’t escort a defendant to a private appointment”.
“I appreciate your worry but this opportunity can let us see what’s ahead [for Tully],” said the judge.
“It’s a long way from Castlerea [prison] to Beaumont. We’ll have to put security measures in place,” said Mr Jones to the court before engaging in a brief consultation with the senior prisoner escort in court.
“If you say he has to escort him, he will escort him,” said Mr Jones to the judge after this.
Judge Kennedy issued the judicial order to confirm Tully’s escort by the Prison Service on the day in question and handed over the defendant’s medical files to the State.
“The left hand must know what the right hand is doing,” said the judge.
