The Central Criminal Court has heard a man smothered a fellow patient in a psychiatric unit because he had been fantasising about going to prison.
Ian Harman who has an address at Carrigallen Mountain Lodge in Cootehill had a mental disorder when he killed Michael Traynor (82) at Cavan General Hospital in June 2011.
Mr Harman (50) was charged with murder, but during his trial in July the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) accepted his plea of guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.
The court heard Mr Harman was admitted to the psychiatric unit of Cavan General Hospital in June 2011 after making an attempt on his own life.
At around 6:30am on Sunday June 27th, he smothered fellow patient Michael Traynor (82) in his bed using a belt and a pillow.
He immediately told nursing staff what he had done.
The court has heard he was depressed and suffering withdrawal symptoms from the anti-psychotic drug Olanzapine.
The victim's nephew, Michael McKenna, described his uncle Mick as a fine country gentleman with a keen sense of wit - and he expressed concern that the judicial system seemed to favour the defendant.
Sentencing will be finalised next week.
