A murder suspect was put on suicide watch on the orders of a judge today.

Oisin Conroy (aged 33) with an address at The Mews, Mailcoach Road, Sligo, was formally charged at Sligo District Court with the murder at his address of Natalie McGuinness, 24, yesterday.

Conroy, with his head heavily bandaged and hands wrapped in blue forensic gloves, appeared before Judge Kevin Kilrane a half-hour before the court was due to open for its scheduled weekly sitting.

Conroy, wearing a blue hoodie and black tracksuit bottoms and runners, did not speak during the hearing.

Sgt Pat Harney told the court he arrested Conroy at 12.05am this morning at Sligo Garda station.

Conroy made no reply when cautioned and charged at 12.42am.

Inspector Paul Kilcoyne asked for a remand in custody and defence counsel Keith O’Grady, BL, asked that Conroy be given all appropriate medical attention.

He added: “This is a case where the defendant will require psychiatric evaluation and it should be done as matter of urgency.”

Mr O’Grady said he and Conroy’s family would like hospital authorities to give the appropriate help needed.

Conroy was remanded in custody to the same court next Thursday.

Read: Victim at centre of Sligo murder inquiry named

When Mr O’Grady repeated that he had instructions that Conroy needed urgent psychiatric attention, Judge Kilrane asked: “Is he a suicide risk?”

Inspector Kilcoyne told the court: “His injuries are self-inflicted and he is a threat to himself.”

The judge repeated his custody order and instructed that Conroy be put on suicide watch and be given psychiatric attention.

At this stage Inspector Kiloyne told the court: “He inflicted his wounds on himself with a weapon.”

Conroy was led from the court under heavy security and driven to custody in Castlerea Prison.

Natalie McGuinness, a daughter of John Joe and Catherine McGuinness, of Easkey in west Co Sligo, died in hospital shortly after she was attacked at The Mews yesterday morning.