A MAN charged with murdering a pensioner in Limerick last week was remanded in continuing custody for a mental health assessment as well as directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Philip Ambrose (43), of no fixed abode, is accused of the murder of 71-year-old Michael Hayes outside Mr Hayes’ home at St Michael’s Court, Watergate, Limerick City, on July 10.
Mr Ambrose was charged with Mr Hayes’ murder before a late-night sitting of Limerick District Court on Saturday and remanded to appear before the court this Tuesday, with a judge’s direction that he be assessed by a mental health professional.
Today (Tuesday), the court stated that it had received letter from a HSE official explaining that psychiatric assessments at St Joseph’s psychiatric campus on Mulgrave Street, located yards from the court and Limerick Prison where Mr Ambrose is being detained on remand, provides mental health assessments only on a part-time basis.
The court heard it could take up to four weeks for a psychiatric assessment to be carried out.
Presiding Judge Carol Anne Coolican reaffirmed the original order that Mr Ambrose receive a psychiatric assessment while in custody on remand.
Sergeant Denis Waters, Roxboro Road Garda Station, told the court that Gardaí were awaiting formal directions in the case from the Director of Public Prosecutions, and sought an adjournment until July 29.
Mr Ambrose, who appeared before the court via video-link from Limerick Prison, confirmed his name and that he could hear and see the court proceedings.
He told Judge Coolican “thank you very much” after she remanded him in continuing custody to appear before the court again for DPP directions on July 29.
Last Saturday, the court heard that Mr Ambrose did not reply when charged by Gardaí with Mr Hayes’ murder.
Ambrose was arrested by Gardaí last Friday morning, a few hours after Mr Hayes was allegedly attacked near his home.
Mr Hayes was found with critical injuries at St Michael’s Court, Watergate, and despite paramedics and doctors best efforts he was pronounced dead at University Hospital Limerick in the early hours of last Friday.
Mr Ambrose’s solicitor, Turlough Herbert, Herbert and Co Solicitors, Limerick, said he was not seeking bail, which he noted could only be applied for before the High Court.
The court was told Mr Ambrose was in receipt of a disability allowance and granted him free legal aid.
