Mother is stabbed to death in own home
Alleged attacker said: ‘I’ve done some very bad stuff’
THE man alleged to have stabbed a woman to death in her home yesterday told a neighbour moments later that he had ‘done some very bad stuff’ in the house.
Mother-of-three Marian Horgan was found stabbed to death in her home near Cork city centre while her husband Billy, 67, sustained head injuries in the early morning assault.
A man in his 20s was detained by neighbours before gardaí took him into custody. An eyewitness said: ‘The young man said to one of the men restraining him that, “I’ve done some very bad stuff in the house”.’
Paramedics tried to revive Mrs Horgan, who had sustained multiple stab wounds, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
THE man alleged to have stabbed a woman to death in her home is said to have told a neighbour moments later that he had ‘done some very bad stuff ’ in the house.
Mother-of-three Marian Horgan was found stabbed to death in her home near Cork city centre while her husband Billy, 67, sustained head injuries in the early morning assault.
A man in his 20s was detained by neighbours before gardaí arrived and took him into custody.
The shocking incident in the quiet neighbourhood took place j ust before 8am. According to local residents, one of Marian’s neighbours heard a commotion in the Horgan family’s semi- detached home on Murmont Avenue, near Montenotte. He ran to the house and saw a man leaving with some blood on his face and clothing.
Alarmed, he shouted for help from other neighbours.
A visiting tradesman standing nearby ran over and held the man while the first neighbour went into the house.
A third man, who had been dropping a relative off in Cork city, also stopped and helped restrain the man. While he was being restrained, he is said to have turned to one of the men and said: ‘I’ve done some very bad stuff in the house.’
The neighbour who ran into the house and found Mrs Horgan came out shortly afterwards. He is said to have been so upset by what he saw that he vomited onto the street.
A relative of one of the men said: ‘A row was heard at Marian and Billy’s house. One of their neighbours ran to the house to find out what was going on and found a young man coming out of the house.
‘He spoke to the man as he crossed the street away from the house but he brought him back to the area outside the house.
‘He then shouted to a tradesman who was due to be doing some work at one of the neighbours’ houses.
‘He was just about to arrive at their house when he heard the other neighbour’s shouts.
‘The tradesman ran over to help and held onto the younger man.
‘As far as I know, one of the neighbours then went inside but when he saw the state of things in there, they came back out. They were so revolted and upset that they were physically sick.’
They added: ‘ At one stage, the young man said to one of the men restraining him that, “I’ve done some very bad stuff in the house”.’
After the three men managed to restrain the alleged attacker, a plain clothes detective arrived on the scene and tried to put handcuffs on him. The relative of one of the neigh- bours who restrained the man further recalled: ‘The guard was unable to put the cuffs on because the young man was struggling so much.
‘After a short while ambulances arrived and guards were everywhere.
‘Then Billy came out of the house with what appeared to be a head wound and he walked into one of the ambulances.’
Paramedics fought to revive Mrs Horgan, who had sustained multiple stab wounds, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her body was transferred to Cork University Hospital, where a post mortem was carried out.
It confirmed she died from multiple stab wounds in what detectives believe was a frenzied attack.
Her husband, whose injuries are believed to have been caused when he tried to defend himself against the attacker, was rushed to Cork’s Mercy University Hospital.
He underwent surgery for what were last night not considered to be life-threatening injuries and he was kept in hospital overnight.
Doctors are believed to be satisfied that he will be in a well enough condition to make a statement to detectives by this afternoon or this evening at the earliest.
The couple’s alleged attacker was taken to nearby Mayfield Garda stati on f or questioning and was expected to be held until at least later on today. He is not expected to be charged until later this evening at the earliest.
Sources say he was taken into custody in a ‘highly agitated state’ and is believed to have had to be assessed by medical staff before being questioned. He is not due to make an appearance in court until Wednesday at the earliest.
The couple have a son Paul and two daughters, Jennifer and Caroline. Billy, 67, and Marian, 60, were childhood sweethearts. They grew up together and married in Cork. Marian worked as a legal secretary in a solicitor’s practice in Cork city and had also undertaken further studies at University College Cork.
Near neighbour Shane Hennessy, 52, from Gardiner’s Hill, said: ‘I last saw Billy about a week ago and was his usual self. He was in really good form and we stopped and had a chat about things.
‘I’m blown away by this and never for a second imagined that this sort of thing would happen in this area. It’s mostly people either have retired or are near retirement.’
He added: ‘ I hope Billy pulls through but with his wife dead he will honestly be devastated. ’
Local councillor Ted Tynan said he knows Mr Horgan and said: ‘It’s a lovely quiet tranquil area overlooking the city. You would often see Billy walking his dogs.
‘What more can you say, it’s such a terrible tragedy.’
‘They were so revolted and upset’