Defendant's mental state called into question by Kildare judge

The mental state of a female defendant was called into question by a Naas District Court judge on Thursday, January 19.
Judge Desmond Zaidan became concerned at a young woman’s behaviour during a court session.

The woman, who appeared via video-link, was acting erratically on camera: she was laughing randomly, kept trying to interrupt the judge, and at one point, made ramblings about 'royal blood' and 'magic powers.'

In addition, the judge said that when he last spoke to her, she expressed suicidal ideations.

It was alleged that the defendant was caught shoplifting in Kildare.

When she was brought to a garda station, it was further alleged that she became abusive to gardaí, and later ended up smearing blood and faeces on the walls of her cell.

When Judge Zaidan asked a prison guard beside the defendant if she had seen a psychiatrist, she replied that the woman has so far only seen a GP.

She added that the woman had previously been with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

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However, she refused to go to any appointments.

In response, Judge Zaidan said: “If she was my child, I would have made sure she attended the appointments."

The judge added: "I think she needs a psychiatrist... she’s either genuine or she’s acting the fool, but I need a psychiatrist (to determine it)."

Judge Zaidan remanded the defendant in custody to January 26, in order to allow time for a psychiatric report on her state of mind.