Man ‘tried to kill’ his father in nursing home
Accused (66) charged with attempted murder of parent
A BELFAST man accused of trying to murder his elderly father in a care home has been remanded into custody.
James Anderson Weir (66) is accused of attempted to kill James Weir Snr at Blair House Care Home in Newtownards on November 24.
A police officer told Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court how staff contacted the PSNI after they saw Weir holding a pillow above his father’s face, believing he was trying to “suffocate” his dad.
A BELFAST man accused of trying to murder his elderly father in a Co Down care home has been remanded into custody.
Appearing in the dock of Downpatrick Magistrates Court on Monday, 66-year-old James Anderson Weir confirmed that he understood the single charge against him.
Weir, from Manor Street in north Belfast, is charged with the attempted murder of James Weir Snr on November 24 this year at Blair House Care Home, Newtownards.
During an unsuccessful bail application, a police officer told the court how staff at the Newtownards care home contacted the PSNI after they saw Weir holding a pillow above his father’s face, believing he was trying to “suffocate” his dad. After the pillow was taken off him, Mr Weir Snr was examined by a doctor and taken to hospital while his son was arrested.
Defence counsel Conan Rea said that Weir was intoxicated at the time of the incident, and revealed that both of Weir’s parents reside at the care home.
“It’s a tragic situation,” said the lawyer.
Further submitting that he could be freed on bail, Mr Rea told the court that Weir’s siblings wanted him to be released and were willing to act as a surety for him.
Refusing bail however, District Judge Amanda Brady told the defendant: “This is obviously a very sad and tragic case [but] I don’t think you are a suitable candidate for bail.”
Remanding Weir into custody, she ordered him to appear again this Friday at Ards Court via videolink.