Man charged with murder of his mother unfit to attend court

Paul Horgan is charged with the murder of his mother Marian in Cork

Paul Horgan (above) is charged with the murder of his mother Marian (61) at the family home at Murmont Avenue in Montenotte in Cork on November 24th. File photograph: Michael Mac Sweeney/Cork Courts
Paul Horgan (above) is charged with the murder of his mother Marian (61) at the family home at Murmont Avenue in Montenotte in Cork on November 24th. File photograph: Michael Mac Sweeney/Cork Courts

A 25-year-old man charged with the murder of his mother in Cork city last week was unable to attend court on Tuesday because he was deemed unfit to do so by a psychiatrist.

Paul Horgan is charged with the murder of his mother Marian (61) at the family home at Murmont Avenue in Montenotte in Cork on November 24th.

Mr Horgan was charged with the murder on November 26th and was remanded in custody by Judge Leo Malone to appear again at Cork District Court on Tuesday.

But when the case was called at Cork District Court, the court clerk told Judge Con O’Leary that there was a letter from Cloverhill Prison in relation to Mr Horgan.

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Judge O’Leary noted that the accused was being psychiatrically assessed and was deemed as not fit to be brought from prison to Cork District Court.

Defence solicitor, Diarmuid Kelleher had applied to Judge Malone during Mr Horgan’s first court appearance to have him examined and assessed by a prison psychiatrist.

Judge O’Leary adjourned the case in Mr Horgan’s absence, remanding him in continuing custody to appear again at Cork District Court on December 10th by video link from Cloverhill Prison.

The court had earlier heard that Mr Horgan was studying Information Technology at the Cork College of Commerce and was living at home with his parents, Bill and Marian.

Ms Horgan was buried earlier this week at Rathcooney following requiem mass at St Joseph’s Church in Mayfield at which she was remembered as “a beautiful all-rounder with many hidden talents”.

Ms Horgan’s brother, Jim Eager told mourners including her husband, Billy and daughters, Jennifer and Caroline that his sister provided a glowing example in terms of how she brought up her children.

“I always had in front of me the shining example that Marian was. Marian was a person of limitless energy and immense love,” said Mr Eager.

“Those gifts that she had don’t go out of the world and although Marian has gone out of our world, she will always be part of our lives,” he said.