A MAN has been charged with the murder of a Westmeath woman at a special sitting of Athlone District Court.
The accused, Jimmy Devanney (63) of Millbrook Avenue, Monksland, Athlone, was brought into the court under tight security shortly before 6pm yesterday.
He was charged with the murder of Marie Greene (37) at Tullycross, Moydrum, Athlone, on February 13th.
Scores of people began to gather outside the courthouse on Pearse Street, Athlone, from 5pm. The crowds who lined the streets shouted abuse at Mr Devanney as he was taken into and removed from the court.
Det Sgt Eamon Curley gave evidence of arresting the man in Monksland at 7.55am on Monday. When he was charged at Athlone Garda station at 5.25pm, Mr Devanney said he had “nothing to say”, Det Sgt Curley said.
Addressing Judge David Anderson, Supt Aidan Glacken said: “My application is for a remand in custody to Cloverhill District Court this day week, March 1st.”
Tony McLynn, defending, applied for legal aid. He said his client was retired from the Defence Forces and was in receipt of a pension in the sum of €300 a week.
He consented to the remand and told the judge that his client “will be applying for High Court bail next Tuesday”.
Mr Devanney appeared before the court dressed in grey slacks and a brown hoodie.
He remained silent during the brief hearing.
Earlier yesterday, State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy was called to a sealed-off area of bogland at Annaghgortagh on the Ballymore Road outside Athlone.
Gardaí acting on information had begun searching the bogland on Monday afternoon. Early yesterday morning they discovered human remains.
Following a preliminary examination, a body was removed from the site at 2.15pm. The body was taken to the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore, Co Offaly, for a postmortem.
Ms Greene was last seen at her home in St Mel’s Terrace at about 9pm on Sunday, February 13th. She left her home after receiving a phone call and told her mother she would be back soon.