Cy Walsh, who killed Crows coach father Phil Walsh, loses freedom to be in community over mental instability concerns

Eight years after Cy Walsh stabbed his Crows coach father to death, concerns about his mental stability mean he has again been detained full-time in a psychiatric facility.

Cy Walsh, who killed his Crows coach father, Phil Walsh, while affected by mental illness has lost his freedom to be in the community unsupervised following concerns over his mental stability.

On Wednesday, and at the application of prosecutors, the Supreme Court revoked Mr Walsh’s mental health licence and remanded him in detention.

The move means Mr Walsh, who had been granted unsupervised leave from the state’s secure mental health facility, is now restricted to remain within its grounds.

Cy Walsh, inset, killed his Adelaide Crows coach father, Phil Walsh, when affected by mental illness.

The court was told there was no suggestion Mr Walsh had committed any offences, nor that he had breached his leave conditions in any manner.

Instead, the court was told doctors had reviewed Mr Walsh’s condition, determined detention was warranted, and would review him again “should his mental health stabilise”.

On July 3, 2015, Mr Walsh, 34, stabbed his father Phil Walsh, 55, at least 20 times in their family home while affected by undiagnosed, untreated schizophrenia.

A habitual user of hallucinogenic drugs, Mr Walsh had an oft-turbulent relationship with his father and once spoke of wanting to “rip out” the older man’s heart.

In 2016, he was found not guilty of murder due to mental incompetence and ordered to spend the rest of his life under a “limiting term” of mental health supervision.

Cy Walsh is being detained in James Nash House.

Under state law, that term can be served in a secure facility, in the community or both.

While Mr Walsh remains in the secure James Nash House facility, he sought and received permission to have unsupervised day leave in 2021.

On Wednesday, prosecutors asked the court to revoke Mr Walsh’s licence under Section 269U of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act.

That section provides that, if a person on licence “contravenes or is likely to contravene” their conditions, the court may review their case and detain them.

Mr Walsh, who appeared by video link wearing a grey cap and Covid mask, listened quietly during their application.

Trish Johnson, for Mr Walsh, said her client had instructed her not to oppose the application.

“In light of the fact there’s no suggestion of offending or a breach (of conditions), we seek the court’s leave to bring (a further review) on for earlier hearing should Mr Walsh’s mental health stabilise,” she said.

Justice Anne Bampton agreed and remanded Mr Walsh in custody until February.