Waterford man charged with murder of 47-year-old woman

Marcus O'Neill, 34, of O'Brien Street in Waterford, was charged with the murder of Gillian Curran, 47, in Co Waterford yesterday evening, Sunday, January 26.

Gardaí announced on Saturday that they were investigating the death of a woman in her 40s - since named as Gillian Curran - following an incident in Waterford City that morning.

Shortly after 10 am on Saturday, Gardaí and emergency services responded to an incident at a residence on O’Brien Street, Waterford, where Curran was found unresponsive. She was pronounced deceased at the scene a short time later.

A man in his 30s - since named as Marcus O'Neill  - was subsequently arrested and detained at a Garda station in the Eastern Region under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, on suspicion of an offence under the Non-Fatal Offenses Against the Person Act.

A post-mortem was scheduled for Sunday; Gardaí said on Saturday that the findings will assist them in determining the course of their investigation.

Gardaí also said on Saturday that a senior investigating officer (SIO) had been appointed to lead the investigation, and an incident room has been established at Waterford Garda Station. A family liaison officer (FLO) has also been assigned to support the family.

O'Neill was charged on Sunday evening and appeared before a special sitting of Gorey District Court.

In court on Sunday, Detective Sergeant Mick Bourke gave evidence of arrest, charge, and caution. Bourke told the court that O'Neill made no reply when he was charged with Curran's murder.

There was no application for bail as the District Court has no jurisdiction to consider bail on a murder charge, the Irish Examiner reports.

O'Neill has been granted free legal aid.

Judge Kevin Staunton remanded O'Neill into custody with an order that he get medical and psychiatric attention.

O'Neill will appear before Waterford District Court next Tuesday via video link.

On Monday, the BRILL Family Resource Centre in Co Waterford offered its condolences to Curran's family, friends, and colleagues.

"Gillian worked in our Key Project and was a valued member of staff," BRILL said. 

"She will be greatly missed by all.

"Ar deis de go raibh a anam."