Intoxication

AG for NI v Gallagher

Was an aggressive psychopath who went out to buy whiskey and a knife after release from a mental hospital for which he blamed his wife. He knew this would make him intoxicated and unaware and planned to use this to stab his wife.

R v Lipman

Was under the influence of LSD and killed his girlfriend by shoving a bed sheet into her mouth as he thought she was a snake. He was voluntarily intoxicated but didn’t have the mens rea as he thought she was a snake so he was convicted of manslaughter rather than murder. Basic intent substitute.

Sheehan and Moore

Set a homeless man on fire when they were voluntarily intoxicated. Convinced the jury they did not have the mens rea so the specific intent was substituted for the basic intent crime of manslaughter.