A round up of today's other courts news in brief
Remand for man accused of bar worker's murder
A 24-year-old unemployed single man has been remanded in custody after he was charged yesterday with the murder of a 62-year-old retired barman whose body was found at a house in Cork city last year.
Paul Murphy, from Kilmore Road, Knocknaheeny, Cork, was brought before Cork District Court yesterday where he was charged with the murder of Donal Manley at a house on High Street, Cork, on October 10th last year.
Mr Murphy was also charged with a second offence of stealing a number of items belonging to Mr Manley, which included goods amounting to €600.
Judge Uinsinn Mac Gruairc remanded Mr Murphy in custody to appear again at Cork District Court on March 11th to allow for service of documents by gardaí on the accused.
Taxi driver murder trial delayed
The trial of a man and a woman accused of murdering a taxi driver in Blanchardstown a year ago, which was due to start yesterday morning, has been delayed for a day.
Mr Justice Paul Butler told the jury at the Central Criminal Court that documents had been exchanged between the parties and the defence required some time to deal with issues before evidence began.
Carlos Byrne (22), of Linnetsfield Square, Clonee, and Lindsey Fahy (25), of Linton Square, Clonee, Co Meath, deny murdering Mark Smith (31) at Fortlawn, Blanchardstown on March 18th, 2008.
Ms Fahy also denies possession of a knife with intent to cause injury, and assault on Mr Smith causing him harm on the same occasion. The trial is expected to begin this morning.
Woman in ‘private hell’ over killing
A woman “living in her own private hell” since she knocked down and killed a cyclist was yesterday sentenced to 180 hours’ community service, at Wexford Circuit Court. Dolores Gaffney (50), Grattan Court, Gorey, Co Wexford, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Jacek Mastalerz at Gorey Hill on July 7th, 2007.
Judge Alice Doyle said it was evident that Gaffney was living “in her own private hell and that’s where she will stay” and said the accused was reminded of the incident, which occurred at the entrance to her own estate, every time she walked outside her own door.
Gaffney was sentenced to 180 hours community service, in lieu of a six-month jail sentence, and was disqualified from driving for four years.
Burglar assaulted two children
An alcoholic burglar has been jailed for seven years by Mr Justice Paul Carney for sexually assaulting two children while their mother spoke with neighbours a short distance from their Dublin home.
Peter O’Gorman (40), a father-of-two of Mantua Park, Swords, broke into the house thinking it was empty and stole gold jewellery, house keys and two mobile phones before he sexually assaulted the young boy and girl who were left unsupervised for 10 minutes.
O’Gorman pleaded guilty to sexual assault and to burglary and theft on the same date.