Paul Cuddihy charged with murder in Waterford

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Paul Cuddihy, 36, was charged at a special sitting of Waterford District Court with the murder of Maria O'Brien, 55, a patient at St Otteran's Psychiatric Hospital in Waterford. The proceedings were reported on 7 September 2014.

Det Sgt Donal Donohue said he formally arrested Cuddihy and charged him on 6 September 2014. The court was told that Cuddihy replied “no comment” to the charge.

Barrister Tara Geoghegan, instructed by solicitor Hilary Delahunty, applied for a psychiatric assessment and legal aid, saying Cuddihy had no means. Judge Kevin Staunton granted legal aid, directed that Cuddihy receive medical and psychiatric attention, and remanded him in custody until the following Tuesday.

This report covers an earlier stage of the case. Later developments are not reported here.