Man charged over murder of woman in Co Mayo

A 22-year-old-man appeared at a special court sitting today charged with the murder of Sarah Staunton (28) at her home near Balla, Co Mayo over the weekend.

Ray Gralton, with an address at Mount Prospect, Co Roscommon made a brief appearance before Judge Mary Devins at a special sitting of Ballina District Court.

Detective Sergeant Gary Walsh gave evidence of arresting the accused at 10am today at Castlebar Garda station.

He said Mr Gralton made no reply to the charge of murder after caution.

Garda Supt Pat Diskin told the court his application was for a remand in custody to Harristown Court on Friday, December 20th at 10.30 am.

Solicitor Gary Mulchrone said free legal aid would be applied for in respect of the defendant in due course.

Mr Mulchrone also requested that his client receive appropriate medical attention in prison. The solicitor explained that a doctor visited the accused on Sunday and prescribed painkillers for a pre-existing injury.

Judge Devins said the request was a matter for the Prison Governor to deal with.

The defendant, who was wearing an orange hooded top, stood with his hands behind his back during the short hearing. He showed no emotion during the proceedings before being led away to Castlerea Prison.

A murder investigation was launched by gardaí yesterday afternoon after a postmortem examination at Mayo General Hospital showed Ms Staunton had been physically assaulted before her death. The mother-of-two was found dead on Saturday in the bungalow where she lived at Portagh, Mayo Abbey.