Son charged with mother's murder put in psychiatric care

A 29-year-old man is to be put in psychiatric care after being charged with murdering his mother.

Seamus Marrinan was tonight charged with killing mother-of-seven Carmel at the family home on the Newport Road in Castlebar, Co Mayo.

He was remanded into custody at an evening sitting of the town’s District Court.

Judge Mary Devins ordered that Marrinan undergoes psychiatric assessment and is given the appropriate medical treatment.

His 61-year-old mother, a popular and well respected nurse in the town, was attacked in her home in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

It is believed she woke around 3.30am or 4am and heard noises downstairs, went to investigate and was attacked on the stairs.

She suffered slash and stab wounds to her hands and arms.

Gardaí arrived at the house within minutes of being alerted and found paramedics frantically trying to revive her.

Judge Devins remanded Marrinan in prison to appear again before Castlebar District Court on July 17.