A DUBLIN man was charged in Kilmainham District Court yesterday with the murder of the journalist Veronica Guerin.
Mr Paul Ward (32), of Windmill Road, Walkinstown, wash charged with the murder of Ms Guerin at Naas Road, Clondalkin, Dublin, contrary to common law on June 26th, 1996. Det Insp Jerry O'Connell, of Ballyfermot Garda station, told the court that Mr Ward had made no reply in response to the charge.
The court was told by Ms Claire Galligan, for the Chief State Solicitor's Office, that two other charges, of conspiracy to murder and of being an accessory after the facts, were being withdrawn.
Mr Ward's solicitor, Mr Terry Hanahoe, asked Judge Gillian Hussey about a book of evidence being served in relation to further charges relating to drugs offences.
Ms Galligan, told the court they were waiting for a forensic report and that that book of evidence would be served next week. The book of evidence in relation to the murder charge was served yesterday.
A note was handed to Judge Hussey asking that Mr Ward be further remanded to Cork Prison, to which she agreed.
As Mr Ward was taken away in a van, he covered his head with his sweater.
A small group of family and friends, who had been in the court shouted "God bless you, Paul" and told him to cover his head so photographers could not get clear pictures.
Mr Ward was charged with conspiracy to murder and being an accessory and with the drugs offences on October 20th, 1995. He, was held on remand in Mountjoy and later moved to Cork Prison.