This article is from page 15 of the 2008-11-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
SHARON Collins told her psycholo- gist she did not commit the offences of which she was convicted, during a meeting with him just weeks ago.
Clinical psychologist Brian Glan- ville carried out a pscyhometric eval- uation of Sharon Collins’ personal- ity, having met her on September 4 and 22 last, at the women’s prison in Mountjoy.
He concluded that her personality
style appeared to be that of a passive, detached but dependent personality.
He said that she suffers from high levels of anxiety and depression and will find her prison term particularly difficult.
‘A personality like that is likely to find themselves in conflict,” he said. He said this type of personality would have a strong need for emotional sup- port, but would feel swamped in re- lationships.
He said that Collins had high levels
of anxiety and depression.
“She would have particular difficul- ties with lengthy prison sentences. She is going to find herself in a situa- tion where she would have very little in common with the other inmates,” he noted.
He said that Collins was of the view that she had been subjected to unwel- come media attention and felt under “adverse media pressure”.
He said she was particularly con- cerned that a conversation she had
with PJ Howard, during a visit to her at Mountjoy jail, had been leaked to the media.
He said she may become more withdrawn and isolated, in the sur- roundings of the prison. “That could have quite serious consequences for her,” he said.
Una Ni Raifeartaigh, BL for the prosecution, asked him did Collins suffer from any psychiatric illness and he said she did not.
Mr Glanville said Collins had ex-
pressed concerns for her sons but when asked had she expressed simi- lar concern for her mother, he said he did not recall for sure.
Asked had she been concerned about the Howards, he said, “I don’t have any recollection about that.”
Ms Ni Raifeartaigh asked had Col- lins expressed remorse for her ac- tions.
He replied, “I understand she says she didn’t commit the offences. It doesn’t arise.”