Accused to have treatment in custody

A man charged in relation to the death of his mother is to receive psychological and medical treatment in custody after he was brought before a court yesterday.

Niall Stapleton, aged 31, of Kilfane, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, has been charged with assaulting his mother, Siobhan Stapleton, aged 51, causing her serious harm on May 25.

Ms Stapleton died on her way to hospital last Friday after being assaulted at her home and was buried in the local cemetery on Tuesday. Her son was arrested shortly after her funeral.

Members of her family, including her husband, Peter Stapleton, father of the accused, were present in Kilkenny District Court yesterday to support the man.

His family members sat in the public area of the court for yesterday’s brief hearing, while the accused himself sat separately, beside a garda sergeant, and was not called upon to speak. He was wearing a dark grey suit, white shirt and blue striped tie.

His solicitor Mary O’Shea said he had a “history of mental illness” and the family’s main priority was his mental health and welfare.

“His family are here in a show of full support and care for him,” she told Judge Gerard Furlong. “We’re anxious that he would receive the appropriate treatment.” She said her client was reserving his position regarding bail, but asked the judge to direct that Mr Stapleton receive any appropriate psychiatric assistance in custody.

Ms O’Shea applied for legal aid, saying her client was a qualified industrial design engineer but was not in a position to work at the moment and was receiving disability allowance.

Detective Garda Bridget Goode told the court she formally charged Niall Stapleton at 10.45pm on Wednesday in Thomastown Garda Station. The accused “made no reply” to the charge, she said.

Inspector Liam Connolly asked for the accused to be remanded in custody, in the circumstances of there being no application for bail.

Judge Furlong granted legal aid and remanded Niall Stapleton to appear again at Kilkenny District Court next Tuesday.

“I request that, in all the circumstances, the defendant receive all appropriate psychological and medical attention and treatment on arrival at the place of detention,” said the judge.