A 47-year-old man charged over the death of a patient in a psychiatric ward at Cavan General Hospital yesterday has admitted killing him, a court heard today.
Ian Harmon (47), from Carrigallen, Mountain Lodge, Cootehill, Co Cavan, was arrested yesterday over the death of 82-year-old Michael Treanor at Cavan General Hospital and questioned at Cavan Garda station.
Sgt Seamus Green told Cavan District Court this morning that he charged Mr Harmon, a married father-of-one, at 10.54pm for the murder of the patient.
Sgt Seamus Green said that, when cautioned, Mr Harmon replied: “Yes, I did it. I’ve given statements that I done it.”
The accused and the dead man were patients in the psychiatric unit.
Mr Harmon, a general labourer, was dressed in a blue hooded top, navy tracksuit bottoms, a grey T-shirt and white trainers and flanked by two gardaí during the brief hearing.
Defence solicitor Damien Rudden said he had no questions for the court about the charges. But he requested that his client be allowed the transfer to Cloverhill for the purposes of medical assistance and a psychiatric assessment.
Mr Rudden said he was also seeking legal aid on behalf of Mr Harmon because of the gravity of the charges against him and his circumstances.
Judge Sean McBride granted the application and said any bail application would have to be made to the High Court.
He remanded the accused in custody at Castlerea Prison to appear before Virginia District Court next Tuesday.
The judge also recommended the defendant be transferred to Cloverhill Prison in Dublin for an urgent medical and psychiatric examination and assessment.
The killing happened yesterday in the Cavan-Monaghan Mental Health Acute Inpatient Unit in Cavan General Hospital.