Father of three appears in court charged with brother's murder

A 26-year-old father of three appeared in court yesterday charged with the murder of his brother last January.

A 26-year-old father of three appeared in court yesterday charged with the murder of his brother last January.

At Ennis District Court, Patrick McDonagh, Bridge Court, Roslevan, Ennis, Co Clare, was charged with the murder of Charlie McDonagh (30) at Bridge Court, on January 28th.

A settled Traveller, Mr McDonagh is also charged with assault causing harm to his brother and producing a knife in the course of a fight contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act at the same location.

A father of four, Charlie McDonagh died after sustaining a number of stab-type wounds at his Bridge Court home.

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Sgt Daragh O'Sullivan told the court he arrested Patrick McDonagh at 11.30pm on July 5th and brought him to Ennis Garda station.

After caution, Mr McDonagh said: "No comment." Solicitor for Mr McDonagh, Donal Daly, sought an adjournment for one week as the District Court had no jurisdiction to grant bail and he would be seeking bail in the High Court on Monday.

Mr McDonagh was granted legal aid by Judge Joseph Mangan in relation to the new charge after Insp Tom Kennedy confirmed that his circumstances had not changed since he was granted legal aid at a previous court sitting in relation to the case earlier this year.

Judge Mangan adjourned the case to Ennis District Court for next Friday, July 13th, and remanded Mr McDonagh in custody.

Gordon Deegan

Gordon Deegan

Gordon Deegan is a contributor to The Irish Times