Watson, who was reportedly originally from Scotland, was jailed for the murder of Conor McCabe (12)
The Midlands Prison in Portlaoise.(Image: Collins Photo Agency Dublin)
A child killer who was one of Ireland’s longest serving prisoners has died behind bars.
Ian Watson (71), who was serving life for the 1984 murder of a 12 year old boy, died in the Midlands Prison on Tuesday. The evil killer, who had been battling a long-term illness, died in the prison, having been back and forth to hospital in recent weeks.
Watson, who was reportedly originally from Scotland, was jailed for the murder of Conor McCabe (12) in Arklow, Co Wicklow, a crime he committed when he was 30 years old.
Prison bosses have confirmed to this paper that a death occurred in a prison and that the matter has been referred to the Coroner.
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“All deaths in custody are investigated by the Irish Prison Service, the Inspector of Prisons and An Garda Síochána, where circumstances warrant. The cause of death is determined by the Coroner’s Office,” a spokesperson for the Irish Prison Service said.
His court hearing in 1984 heard how he admitted to the killing between April 12 and 15. No evidence surrounding the circumstances of the killing were heard in open court, as was the practice at the time when an accused pleaded guilty.
Reports at the time indicate that gardai struggled to prevent a mob from getting at Watson as they moved him from Arklow District Court to a garda car. The killer was punched several times as the crowd descended on him as he was escorted to a garda car.
Very few details are in the public domain about the murder of the young boy – due to the fact that facts were not heard in court.
A report from 1984 detailed how the victim was a young altar boy and that his funeral took place in Templerainey church, where he had served. A guard of honour was also provided by the Arklow Sea Scouts.
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