A mother has been charged with murdering her eight-year-old son in Charleville, Co Cork earlier this week.
Diane Ward, (43), was brought before a special sitting of Limerick District Court this evening
The body of her son Anthony (8) was discovered by gardaí and relatives in the family home at Harrisons Place, Charleville, on Monday morning.
A postmortem confirmed the boy died from asphyxia.
Ms Ward - who the court heard is unemployed - was granted free legal aid.
Supt Pat McCarthy of Mallow Garda station said Ms Ward had been seen by consultant psychiatrist Dr Eugene Cassidy on Monday and Tuesday and that she had been diagnosed with "a severe affective disturbance".
Supt McCarthy said, Dr Cassidy - who consulted with Dr Harry Kennedy, Central Mental Hospital - had recommended that Ms Ward be remanded to the Dóchas Centre for women, attached to Mountjoy Prison, which would allow her admittance to the Central Mental Hospital, should a bed become available.
"She is unhappy to be remanded in that fashion. Ms Ward does not wish to attend the Central Mental Hospital," solicitor Paul Cagney told the court.
The accused, who wore a black and white pattern coat, sat silently in a chair throughout the 10 minute hearing.
Mr Cagney requested Ms Ward be remanded "in the normal fashion, and I would ask for a consultant forensic psychiatrist to examine her."
Judge Eugene O'Kelly remanded Ms Ward to the Dóchas Centre and ordered a consultant forensic psychologist examine the accused.
Judge O'Kelly said it was "a matter for the prison authorities" to decide, if Ms Ward needed to remain at the Dóchas Centre pending the outcome of the psychiatric evaluation.
Ms Ward was remanded to appear before Newcastle West District Court on Tuesday, September 11th, at 10.30am.
Anthony's requiem mass takes place at Holy Cross Church in Charleville at 2.30pm tomorrow.