Hospital murder accused told gardaí ‘I did it’

A GENERAL labourer charged with murdering a pensioner in a psychiatric hospital told detectives he killed him, a court heard.

Ian Harman, aged 47, from Carrigallen, Mountain Lodge, Cootehill, Co Cavan, was arrested on Monday over the death of Michael Treanor, aged 82, at Cavan General Hospital.

Sergeant Seamus Green told Cavan District Court that he charged Harman, a married father of one, for the murder of the patient.

Sgt Green said that, when cautioned, Harman 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.

Judge Sean McBride remanded the accused in custody at Castlerea Prison to appear before Virginia District Court on Tuesday.

After an application from his solicitor, Judge McBride recommended he be transferred to Cloverhill Prison in Dublin for an urgent medical and psychiatric examination and assessment.

The killing occurred in the Cavan-Monaghan Mental Health Acute In-patient Unit in Cavan General Hospital.

Harmon was first arrested on Monday under section 4 of the Criminal Law Act and questioned at Cavan Garda Station.

Sgt Green told the court that, when he cautioned the accused and asked him if he understood, he nodded that he did. He was later released at 10.20pm and immediately re-arrested under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, for the purpose of being charged, the judge heard. Sgt Green said he charged the accused at 10.54pm, explained the charges and cautioned him again.

Solicitor Damien Rudden said he was seeking legal aid on behalf of Harman because of the gravity of the charges against him and his circumstances as a married father-of-one, working as a general labourer.

Judge McBride granted the application and said any bail application would have to be made to the High Court.