Man due in court over death of woman at Waterford hospital

A man in his thirties is due in court this morning in connection with a fatal stabbing of a female resident of St Otteran's Psychiatric Unit in Waterford.

The woman who died was Maria O’Brien who was in her early 50s and from Waterford city.

She was fatally stabbed at about 7pm on Friday by a male resident.

A 36-year-old man was arrested shortly after the incident in which another resident, also from Waterford, was seriously injured while a nurse working in St Otteran’s suffered facial injuries.

The latter has been treated at Waterford Regional Hospital and was described yesterday as being in a "comfortable" condition.

The scene of the incidents, both inside and on the grounds of St Otteran’s, has been preserved and a technical examination was carried out yesterday by gardaí.

The suspect is being detained at Waterford Garda station, under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

Staff and residents at the hospital have been interviewed by gardaí who are attempting to create a timeline of events at the hospital.