Man with schizophrenia remanded in custody is showing ‘stark signs of improvement’, Kildare court told

A man diagnosed with schizophrenia who is currently remanded in custody is showing 'stark signs of improvement', according to his brother.

The brother appeared before Judge Desmond Zaidan at Naas District Court on Thursday, December 7.

It was previously heard that while the man, who appeared via video-link on the latest date, initially refused to take treatment, he is now accepting treatment to treat his condition.

He has been accused of attacking his mother with a knife, allegedly while in the middle of a psychotic episode.

Gardaí also said that they now had directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in relation to the case, and that the DPP had directed prosecution on indictment.

The judge said that while the man is now accepting treatment, he added that the short, updated psychiatric report he received showed that his overall situation mostly remained the same.

Speaking directly to the man’s brother, Judge Zaidan said: "It is quite clear from this report that he is still unwell, and is still a risk to himself, the public, and your mam."

In response, the brother said that since the man had begun accepting treatment, he 'has shown stark signs of improvement.'

The brother further said that he and his mother, whom he said 'is OK now', are visiting the man on a weekly basis.

Judge Zaidan welcomed the news, but also stressed to him: "If the blade he attacked your mam with had gone just a bit deeper, your mam would have been history, and he would be up for a murder charge

"But now that he has an official diagnosis (of schizophrenia) and is accepting treatment, at least we’re not in no-man’s land anymore."

Judge Zaidan further said that the man’s apparent recovery over the past few weeks 'is a credit to him, the psychiatric team in prison and his consultant.'

He also permitted the brother to have a brief conversation with the man via the video-link.

When the judge asked the man if he was feeling any better, the man replied: "100 per cent, yes."

Judge Zaidan adjourned the case to December 21, to allow time for a book of evidence to be produced.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Samaritans Ireland (116123 or jo@samaritans.org) or you can visit pieta.ie (24/7 Free Crisis Helpline: 1800 247 247 or Text HELP to 51444).

For further information about schizophrenia, including how to treat the condition, please visit https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/schizophrenia/