Gardaí investigating the killing of Robert Holohan have pursued almost 2,000 different lines of inquiry in compiling a book of evidence against a young man charged in connection with the death of the Midleton schoolboy, a court was told yesterday.
Insp Martin Dorney said some 1,983 lines of inquiry had been pursued in the course of compiling the book of evidence against Wayne O'Donoghue (20), who is charged with the manslaughter of Robert Holohan at Ballyedmond Hill, Midleton, Co Cork, on January 4th.
Insp Dorney told Mitchelstown District Court that the case against Mr O'Donoghue also involved gardaí taking some 1,351 statements and interviewing 1,022 witnesses.
A preliminary book of evidence was sent to the Chief State Solicitor's Office and forwarded to the DPP on March 8th. But gardaí are still awaiting the State Pathologist's report and a forensic report for inclusion in the file, he said. Insp Dorney said he was seeking a further extension of a fortnight.
However, Mr O'Donoghue's solicitor, Emmet Boyle, said his client would not consent to a remand for a period of more than two weeks. It was his client's sixth appearance in court without applying for bail.
Judge Michael Pattwell said the defendant was free to apply for bail at any stage.
Mr Boyle said his client was conscious that the next sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court started on April 19th.
Insp Dorney said he hoped the full book of evidence would be ready by April 14th.
Judge Pattwell said he didn't see why in the case of an investigation of this scale there shouldn't be an extension of time.
He said if the accused man was anxious about missing the next session of Cork Circuit Criminal Court, there was an avenue open to him, namely waiving his right of examination of the book of evidence. "If he was of a mind, he could go forward on a signed plea for sentence."
Mr Boyle said his client would rather "make an informed decision" about what course to take.
The judge remanded Mr O'Donoghue in continuing custody to appear again at Midleton District Court on April 14th.
Mark and Majella Holohan, Robert's parents, attended yesterday's hearing, with uncles and a family friend, Frances Moore.
