Farm worker in hostage ordeal found not guilty by reason of insanity

A farm worker who subjected an elderly man, his daughter and her fiance to a terrifying double-barrelled shotgun hostage ordeal has been found found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Tom Howard (50) of Gortnaminch, Listowel, Co Kerry, faced eight separate charges arising from the three-hour drama at Donnybrook House, Sixmilebridge, on July 2nd last.

Mr Howard, wearing a balaclava, medical gloves and armed with the shotgun took gardener Tadgh Corbett (68) hostage in the grounds of the home of retired solicitor and former president of the Law Society Patrick Glynn.

Mr Howard kept Mr Corbett hostage for 2½ hours before Mr Corbett’s daughter Elaine Corbett (27) and Declan Finn (29) came to the home.

Mr Howard struck Mr Finn on the back of the head with the barrel of the shotgun. A struggle ensued during which Mr Howard fired the shotgun.

Det Roddy Burke said that Mr Howard told gardaí he was in Sixmilebridge either to take his own life or carry out a robbery to pay off debts of €6,000.

A jury returned a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.

Mr Howard was remanded on bail pending a psychiatric assessment.