Tony Luckwill
What The Papers Say
Irish Times
Man accused of Internet defamation fit for trial
A man accused of spreading defamatory messages on the Internet is of high
intelligence and is fit to stand trial, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has
been told.
Consultant psychiatrist Dr Art O'Connor told the jury that Mr Anthony
Luckwill (25), of Monastery Walk, Clondalkin, was fit to stand trial.
The jury also heard a clinical psychologist say Mr Luckwill was of high
intelligence.
Dr Ivor Shortts, who is attached to the Central Mental Hospital, told Ms Úna
Ní Raifeartaigh, prosecuting, that Mr Luckwill presented very well when he
carried out IQ tests on him on September 22nd last. Mr Luckwill showed great
interest in the tests and in the result and obviously wanted to do well. Dr
Shortts said there were 11 sub-tests within the overall test dealing with
different intellectual abilities.
These sub-tests included verbal ability, on which Mr Luckwill scored above
high average range.
Another psychiatrist, Dr Colm McGonagle, said Mr Luckwill suffered from a
rare condition called Asberger's Syndrome which meant that he was unable to
act appropriately in social situations and was unfit to stand trial.
Dr McGonagle said the accused has an obsession with Land Rovers and brought
up the subject on the most inappropriate situations. When Mr Luckwill was a
child he discovered a magnet in the shape of a fish and spent weeks finding
out what it would stick to. "Most of us go through fads, but this was quite
exceptional," he said.
Dr McGonagle said some people such as Gay Byrne and Marian Finucane showed
very high social intelligence. They could enter any situation and know what
was appropriate to say.
In the case of Mr Luckwill, he frequently talked when it was inappropriate
and concentrated on only a small part of what was being said. During
psychological assessments, Mr Luckwill would break into conversations about
Land Rovers when being asked about a completely different subject.
He had shouted and cursed at teachers in school and had a very poor
understanding of what was appropriate behaviour.
The jury was told that Mr Luckwill had made oral complaints to the Garda
about another man as well as writing several letters about him on the
Internet, of which he had a very high technical understanding.
The trial continues before Judge Frank O'Donnell.
|
|