Murder suspect put on suicide watch

A murder suspect was put on suicide watch on the orders of a judge yesterday.

Oisin Conroy, aged 33, with an address at The Mews, Mailcoach Rd, Sligo, was formally charged at Sligo District Court with the murder of Natalie McGuinness, aged 24, at that address on Wednesday.

Natalie McGuinness

Mr Conroy, who had his head heavily bandaged and hands wrapped in blue forensic gloves, appeared before Judge Kevin Kilrane 30 minutes before the court was due to open for its scheduled weekly sitting.

Mr Conroy wore a blue hoodie and black tracksuit bottoms and runners, and said nothing during the hearing.

Sergeant Pat Harney told the court that he arrested Mr Conroy at 12.05am on Thursday at Sligo Garda station. He made no reply when he was cautioned and charged at 12.42am.

Inspector Paul Kilcoyne asked for the man to be remanded in custody. Keith O’Grady, defending, asked that Mr Conroy be given all appropriate medical attention.

“This is a case where the defendant will require psychiatric evaluation and it should be done as matter of urgency,” he said.

Mr O’Grady said he and Mr Conroy’s family would like hospital authorities to give the appropriate help needed.

Mr Conroy was remanded in custody to the same court next Thursday.

When Mr O’Grady repeated that he had instructions that Mr Conroy needed urgent psychiatric attention, Judge Kilrane asked: “Is he a suicide risk?”

At this point in the hearing, Insp Kilcoyne told the court: “His injuries are self-inflicted and he is a threat to himself.”

The judge repeated his custody order and instructed that Mr Conroy be put on suicide watch and given psychiatric attention.

Insp Kilcoyne told the court: “He inflicted his wounds on himself with a weapon.”

Mr Conroy was led from the court under heavy security and driven to custody in Castlerea Prison.

Natalie McGuinness, of Easkey, Co Sligo, died in hospital shortly after she was attacked at The Mews on Wednesday morning.