Son charged with murder of father, 85, in US home they shared

AN elderly Leitrim man found beaten to death in his bedroom will be laid to rest near his adopted home in the United States today.

Eighty-five-year-old Robert J Pagnam was found bludgeoned to death at his bungalow in Enfield, Connecticut last Friday.

Soon afterwards his son, Brian, aged 39, was charged with murder and robbery at the home they shared.

Mr Pagnam Jnr appeared before the town’s court on Monday and has had his bail set at $1.5 million (€1,130,597).

However, his legal representative told the court the discussions she had with Mr Pagnam Jnr suggested he could not stand trial until his mental state was assessed.

“For instance, he said he is an FBI agent, that his father was one of the September 11 bombers. [He said] this is an FBI case, he works for the Duchess of York and Queen Elizabeth.

“He thinks a single phone call will resolve all the issues here,” Sara L Bernstein said.

Yesterday Police in Enfield said they could not comment on the details of the case the circumstances of the older man’s death until the investigation was finalised.

Local press in Connecticut report that Mr Pagnam Snr received multiple blows to the head and body in the bedroom of his home.

Neighbours found him at midday on Friday.