A round-up of other courts news in brief
Remand for Geoghegan accused
A DUBLIN man who is accused of murdering rugby player Shane Geoghegan in Limerick last year was further remanded in custody yesterday after gardaí revealed the book of evidence has not been completed. Barry Doyle (23), originally from Portland Row, Dublin 1, but now of Hyde Road, Limerick, is accused of killing Mr Geoghegan on November 9th last year.
Judge Tom O’Donnell refused an application for a four-week adjournment of the case and remanded Mr Doyle in custody for a fortnight.
Closing speeches in sex abuse case
Closing speeches have concluded in the Central Criminal Court trial of a Clare man accused of sexually abusing his partner’s daughter while she was aged between eight and 15 years.
The 40-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to 15 counts of rape, two of anal rape and one of sex assault against the girl at various locations in Co Clare between December 1998 and May 2005.
Robbery trial to continue
The trial of five men accused of robbing €2.28 million in a so-called “tiger kidnapping” four years ago is scheduled to resume on Tuesday.
David Byrne (36) of Knocksedan, Swords; Niall Byrne (27), of Crumlin; Mark Farrelly (37), of Priorswood; Christopher Corcoran (61), of Sutton; and Jason Kavanagh (34), of Ladyswell have all pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning the Richardson family on March 13th and 14th, 2005.
Remand for boy over heroin find
A teenage boy, who was arrested with four adults in connection with a €3.4 million heroin seizure in west Dublin in January, was remanded on continuing bail yesterday pending directions from the DPP.
The boy (17), who is from southwest Dublin , had been charged earlier at the Children’s Court with possession of heroin, and possessing the drug for sale or supply on January 23rd.
Judge Clare Leonard yesterday granted the State further time to obtain directions from the DPP and remanded the teenager on bail for a further four weeks.
The judge marked the case peremptory against the State meaning it could be struck out on the next date if the DPP’s directions are not available by then.
Garda ‘aware’ of kidnap plans
The trial of three men accused of INLA membership continued at the Special Criminal Court yesterday.
The court has heard that members of the INLA had planned to kidnap a Cork businessman.
Neil Myles (54), of no fixed abode, Edward McGarrigle (43), Melmont Gardens, Strabane, Co Tyrone, and John McCrossan (47), Ballycoleman Estate, Strabane, Co Tyrone, have all pleaded not guilty to membership of the INLA.
Det Sgt Donal O’Driscoll told the court that he was on duty in Cork city in February last year and that he was “aware that members of the INLA in Cork were planning to kidnap a local businessman”.
He said that he briefed other gardaí that day about the operation.
Hammer youth told to apologise
A TEENAGER who was part of a gang of masked robbers that used hammers to smash up a fast food restaurant during a terrifying raid, has been ordered to write a letter of apology.
The youth and his accomplices threatened to “chop up” staff during the raid at the Abrakebabra restaurant, on Main Street, Finglas, on August 21st, 2006. Judge Clare Leonard adjourned sentencing the teenager until June. She warned him he needed to change his attitude.