A CLARE man appeared in court last night charged with the murder of law student Eoin Ryan.
At a special sitting of Ennis District Court, Joe Heffernan of Cappabeg, Barefield, appeared in court charged with the murder of Mr Ryan (21) from Ennis at Cappabeg, Barefield, on Tuesday.
Mr Ryan’s body was found near a farmhouse at Cappabeg near Barefield, five miles from Ennis, shortly after 7am on Tuesday.
Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution of Mr Heffernan at 5.40pm at Ennis Garda station yesterday, Garda Donagh Walsh told the court Mr Heffernan replied after caution: “I killed the devil.”
Solicitor for Mr Heffernan John Casey said his client “is in need of medical attention and medical assistance”.
Mr Casey said he spoke to the clinical director of the Central Mental Hospital in Dublin, Prof Harry Kennedy, earlier yesterday about Mr Heffernan, and Prof Kennedy said that there was a bed ready for him at the hospital.
Mr Casey told Judge Joseph Mangan: “I know you cannot remand him to the Central Mental Hospital, but I have asked the prison authorities to do their best to get him to the Central Mental Hospital as it would be the most appropriate place for him”.
Mr Casey said he also spoke with local consultant psychiatrist Dr John O’Mahony in relation to Mr Heffernan.
Flanked by two detectives for the five-minute hearing, Mr Heffernan – wearing a blue-hooded top and tracksuit bottoms – kept his head bowed.
Mr Casey also sought legal aid which the judge granted after Garda Supt Peter Duff of Ennis Garda station said that it was a suitable case.
Garda Supt Duff applied that Mr Heffernan be remanded in custody to reappear before Ennis District Court tomorrow.
Mr Casey said that he was consenting to that. Mr Casey agreed with the judge that there was no need to make recommendations to the prison authorities, as things would take their course.
The judge remanded Mr Heffernan in custody to reappear at Ennis District Court tomorrow.
The funeral Mass of Mr Ryan is to take place at Ballyea Church tomorrow morning.
Mr Ryan was the son of former Teachers’ Union of Ireland president Don Ryan and a nephew of mayor of Clare Christy Curtin (Ind) and councillor and former Clare mayor PJ Kelly (FF).
Mr Ryan is survived by his mother Phil and a brother and sister, both of whom are doctors.
