Patient in his 80s killed in Cork hospital ward following attack

It is not thought that the victim knew his attacker

An elderly man has been killed at a hospital in Cork after an alleged assault. Gardaí in Cork are investigating the death of a man in his late 80s following an incident at Mercy University Hospital in Cork early this morning, January 22nd. Gardaí were alerted to an incident involving two male patients on a ward at the hospital shortly after 5:30 am. The Irish Examiner reports that staff raised the alarm and efforts were made to resuscitate the elderly man, but these were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene. No weapon is believed to have been involved in the incident.

A man in his 30s was arrested at the scene by investigating Gardaí and taken to Bridewell Garda Station, Cork where he is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

It is not thought that the victim, who is believed to have been 89, knew his attacker. Gardaí have said: "The scene is currently preserved for forensic and technical examination. An incident room has been established at the Bridewell Garda Station and the services of the State Pathologist have been requested." The ward has been sealed pending a forensic examination. It is not known if there were other people on the ward at the time of the incident. A Garda family liaison officer has been appointed and the family of the deceased has been notified. Investigating gardaí are not currently seeking anyone else in relation to this incident.