Grangegorman murders inquest gets underway

An inquest into the brutal murders of two women at Grangegorman Psychiatric hospital in Dublin in 1997 is now underway.

Sylvia Shiels (59) and Mary Callinan (61) died after a frenzied stabbing attack.

Mark Nash confessed to the murders after he was arrested for the murder of a young Roscommon couple, for which he is currently serving a life sentence in prison.

Another man, Dean Lyons, was initially convicted and imprisoned for the Grangegorman murders but was released following Nash's confession and has since died.

The inquest got underway this morning despite objections from the women's families that they weren't given Garda statements and autopsy reports that would prepare them for what they are likely to hear.

The coroner told them that they may leave the room when the details of the brutal manner in which the two women died are revealed.

Meanwhile, solicitors acting for convicted murder Mark Nash will come before the inquest tomorrow.

The 29-year old English man is refusing to attend to give evidence.