A Wicklow man who pleaded guilty to assaulting both his parents has had his sentencing adjourned until February 4.
Shane McCann (42), formerly of Wolfe Tone Square West, Bray, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm against his parents at a sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court.
He admitted that in August 2024, he assaulted both his parents, causing them harm.
Previously, counsel for the prosecution, James Kelly, described the matter as an “alleged serious and graphic” incident.
He told a contested bail hearing that the defendant is accused of “killing several family pets” during an attack on his parents that allegedly involved assaulting his father and choking his mother.
It was noted that the “assault was heading in a very serious way” before Mr McCann’s father subdued him by “striking him over the head with a brick”.
The court heard in March 2025 that part of the alleged assault was captured on CCTV footage.
Defence counsel has made several bail applications for the accused since 2024, which were all refused.
On October 8, Judge Patrick Quinn enquired whether gardaí could re-arrest the accused, if he were granted bail, under the Mental Health Act to allow him to undergo psychiatric testing.
Mr Kelly told the judge that, following enquiries, this course of action would not be possible.
Under the Mental Health Act, a person cannot simply be detained for psychiatric assessment at the request of the court without the relevant legal criteria and procedures being met.
Multiple bail hearings have heard concerns about obtaining a psychiatric report.
During one bail hearing, the court heard that a psychiatrist had quoted Mr McCann’s legal team €9,000 to carry out an assessment.
Counsel for the defence, Thomas Finnerty, informed the court that the Legal Aid Board had allowed €2,800 to be paid for the report.
On Tuesday, October 20, senior counsel for the defence, John Berry, said that, in an “unusual fashion”, he would “place some context” on his client’s guilty plea.
He said that Mr McCann had a brain abscess in March 2024 and was discharged from hospital with a prescription for antibiotics, which allegedly led to psychiatric issues.
Mr Berry read a statement given to gardaí by Mr McCann’s father, which said: “I seen the devil, but it was in the body of my son, it was coming out of him.”
Since entering custody, Mr McCann has become an enhanced prisoner and has had no disciplinary record, the court heard.
Defence counsel submitted that his client had been “smoking a lot of cannabis around the time of the attack”.
However, Mr Berry said that this would be a matter for a psychiatrist, adding that the defendant had since “accepted responsibility for his actions”.
“It is extraordinarily depressing for his parents. I’m not minimising the effects,” said Mr Berry.
Judge Quinn extended legal aid to allow for a psychological report to be prepared.
He adjourned the matter until February 4 for sentencing.
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