A 29-year-old man appeared in court in Castlebar, Co Mayo, last evening charged with the murder of his mother.
Séamus Marrinan of Blackfort, Castlebar, who is charged with the murder of 61-year-old Carmel Marrinan, a nurse, at the family home in the early hours of Tuesday morning, was remanded in custody at Castlerea Prison to appear again in Castlebar District Court on July 15th.
Judge Mary Devins ordered that the defendant should receive immediate psychiatric treatment after being addressed on the issue by Aidan Crowley, solicitor for the accused.
Mr Crowley said that in his opinion the defendant is a suicide risk and requires 24-hour monitoring.
Evidence of arrest, charge and caution was given to the court by Sgt James Carroll of Castlebar Garda station.
Mr Crowley said that at some time after his arrest at 3.58am on Tuesday, the defendant was brought to Mayo General Hospital where he was refused psychiatric assessment on the grounds that serious criminal charges were pending.
Members of the accused’s family – his father and his six brothers and sisters – were in the Castlebar court for the brief hearing.
During a break, while the defendant consulted with his solicitor, the defendant’s father spoke to the accused and placed his hands on his shoulders.
There were emotional family scenes before the accused was led away.
Mother of seven Mrs Marrinan sustained fatal stab injuries in the family home early on Tuesday morning.
When gardaí arrived at the house just before 4am they found the victim on the floor in the hallway being treated by ambulance paramedics.
Mrs Marrinan was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at Mayo General Hospital.
Her funeral is due to take place in Castlebar tomorrow.