A man has been remanded in custody after he was charged with the murder of a 22-year-old mother of one whose body was found in a derelict office in Cork city earlier this year.
Adam O’Keeffe (26), with an address c/o St Vincent’s Hostel, was charged on Wednesday with the murder of Amy McCarthy at Sheares Street, Cork between April 29th and 30th.
Ms McCarthy was found in a second-floor room in a vacant office block at the back of the Mercy University Hospital by paramedics at about 7am on April 30th.
The paramedics had been called after the emergency services were alerted by a man in the derelict office building after he tried to wake Ms McCarthy but failed to rouse her.
Ms McCarthy was treated at the scene by paramedics but they were unable to resuscitate her and she was pronounced dead by a local doctor and gardaí were called.
Det Sgt Shane Bergin gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and told Cork District Court that Mr O'Keeffe made no reply to the murder charge after it was put to him.
Insp Adrian Gamble told the court the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed the matter should be sent forward for trial on indictment at the Central Criminal Court. He applied for a week long adjournment to allow for service of the book of evidence.
Defence solicitor Eddie Burke applied for free legal aid and said if the book of evidence was ready for December 13th, his client should attend in person but if not, he could appear by video link.
Mr Burke also applied to Judge Olann Kelleher to have Mr O'Keeffe remanded to Wheatfield Prison.
Judge Kelleher said that was a matter for the prison authorities.
Judge Kelleher remanded Mr O’Keeffe in custody to appear again at Cork District Court on December 13th. He also granted Mr O’Keeffe free legal aid after hearing he was not working.
