A Cavan man (50) has pleaded guilty mid-trial to the manslaughter of a patient in a psychiatric unit.
Ian Harman of Carrigallen Mountain Lodge in Cootehill used a pillow to smother Michael Traynor (81) at Cavan General Hospital in June 2011.
Mr Harman and Mr Traynor were both patients in a psychiatric unit.
The deceased man from Emyvale suffered from dementia and Ian Harman - who is on trial - was admitted on a voluntary basis in June 2011 following a suicide attempt.
He smothered the elderly patient at around 6am and then told a nurse what he had done.
He never denied causing Michael Traynor's death, but he was on trial for murder which he denied.
The issue for the jury was whether he was not guilty by reason of insanity at the time - or suffering from a mental disorder that would diminish his responsibility and make the crime one of manslaughter.
Mid- trial he has pleaded to manslaughter and that has been accepted by the prosecution.
He has been remanded in custody for sentencing on October 6th.
