Waterford hospital stabbing victim named

A woman who was fatally stabbed in a Waterford city psychiatric hospital last night has been named as Maria O'Brien, 55.

Ms. O'Brien was a patient at St Otteran's Psychiatric Hospital on John's Hill in the city.

A man in his 50s, who is also a psychiatric patient in the hospital, remains in Garda custody after the incident, during which another patient and staff member were injured. Gardaí have until 7pm this evening to decide if he is to be charged.

A post mortem was carried out on Ms O' Brien's body this afternoon at University Hospital Waterford and results are expected later.

Both the gardaí and the HSE have launched separate investigations.

General Secretary of the Psychiatric Nurses Association Des Kavanagh has praised the staff for their bravery in dealing with a situation last night.

"From the reports I have available to me I just want to congratulate the nurses involved last night, who were so brave in disarming the man involved and in taking care of others patients in the system," Mr Kavanagh said.