Son charged with murder

A 29-YEAR-OLD man, described as a suicide risk, appeared in court in Castlebar, Co Mayo, yesterday charged with the murder of his mother.

Seamus Marrinan, of Blackfort, Castlebar, was charged with the murder of 61-year-old Carmel Marrinan, a nurse, at the family home in the early hours of Tuesday morning, and was remanded in custody at Castlerea Prison to appear again in Castlebar District Court on July 15.

Judge Mary Devins ordered that the defendant receive immediate psychiatric treatment after being briefed by Aidan Crowley, solicitor for the accused.

Mr Crowley said, 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 Sergeant James Farrell of Castlebar Garda Station.

Members of the accused’s family — his father, Seamus, and his six brothers and sisters — were in court for the brief hearing.

During a break, while the defendant consulted with his solicitor, the defendant’s father, a Department of Agriculture employee, spoke to his son and placed his hands on his shoulders.

There were emotional family scenes before the accused was led away by prison officers.

Mother-of-seven, Carmel Marrinan, a popular and well-respected nurse in the town, was attacked in her home in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

She suffered stab wounds to her hands and arms.

When gardaí arrived at the house just before 4am they found the victim on the floor in the hallway being treated by ambulance paramedics.

Ms Marrinan was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at Mayo General Hospital.

Her funeral is to take place in Castlebar tomorrow.