Hussey Fraser secures €150,000 settlement and apology from HSE to woman after her son killed her partner weeks after allegedly disclosing violent thoughts to hospital.

13 March 2025 Medical Negligence

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has issued an apology to the family of a man who was fatally stabbed by his partner’s son just two weeks after being discharged from a hospital emergency department.

On Tuesday, the High Court heard that Fiona Nolan had settled her High Court nervous shock action for €150,000 following the death of her partner, Bryan Cassidy (52).

Mr Cassidy was killed on February 7th, 2018, by Ms Nolan’s 19-year-old son, Adam Nolan. Mr Nolan from Lucan, was later found not guilty of Mr Cassidy’s murder by reason of insanity.

The court was told that in January 2018, Ms Nolan had taken her son to Tallaght University Hospital as he was unwell and had allegedly expressed psychotic thoughts about harming Mr Cassidy, her partner of 10 years.

“Two weeks later, Fiona Nolan returned home to find her partner in the garden, bleeding heavily having been stabbed in the eye and six times in the abdomen,” the court heard.

Medical Negligence Solicitor John Browne, representing Ms Nolan, argued that Mr Nolan was not properly assessed at the hospital’s emergency department and that his medical history was not adequately considered.

It was submitted that Mr Nolan was exhibiting signs of psychosis unrelated to any medication, and this should have been evident during his hospital visit. The failure to recognise and act on these symptoms was described as a “fundamental flaw” in his care.

The court also heard that Ms Nolan had brought her son to the hospital’s emergency department on January 24th, 2018, with concerns over his paranoid, violent, and psychotic thoughts. It was claimed that he had specifically spoken about harming Mr Cassidy or another person. Despite this, he was discharged.

The case alleged that there was a failure to admit Mr Nolan on January 24th and 25th and that his symptoms, which were indicative of probable paranoid schizophrenia, were not diagnosed. Additionally, it was claimed that there was insufficient consideration given to the risks posed by discharging Mr Nolan, despite his clear statements about wanting to cause harm.

According to the case, Ms Nolan was advised that these were irrational thoughts and that her son should see a counsellor. He was discharged without follow-up care.

It was further alleged that despite Mr Nolan expressing a desire to kill people, including a specific mention of using a kitchen knife to kill Mr Cassidy, no proper action was taken to prevent the tragedy. The case claimed that he should have been admitted to hospital immediately, sedated, or referred to an urgent psychiatric unit.

A breach of duty of care was admitted in the case.

A letter of apology from the HSE, signed by Integrated Health Area Manager Dublin South West, Orlagh Claffey, was read in court.

“On behalf of the HSE, I wish to unreservedly apologise to you for the deficits in the care given to your son Adam Nolan by HSE psychiatric services at Tallaght University Hospital on January 25th, 2018, and for the distress and the grief caused to you by the said deficits in care,” the letter stated.

The letter also confirmed that the HSE had conducted a review of the incident and had implemented key learnings.

Mr Justice Paul Coffey acknowledged the settlement in what he described as a very tragic case.

Following the settlement, John Browne, Medical Negligence Solicitor, stated:

“This case highlights the importance of thorough psychiatric evaluations when a patient presents with concerning disclosures. A proper risk assessment can be vital in ensuring the safety of both the individual and those around them.”