Mr John Crerar sat hunched over, covering his head with his hands throughout yesterday's court hearing, on a charge of murdering Ms Phyllis Murphy almost 20 years ago.
The 51-year-old former soldier from Woodside Park, Kildare town, remained silent during the four-minute appearance in Naas District Court. He was remanded in custody and will appear in Newbridge District Court, Co Kildare, today.
Ms Murphy (23) was abducted, raped and strangled around Christmas 1979. Her relatives did not appear in court yesterday.
A large crowd gathered outside the court house and jeered and jostled as Mr Crerar, a stocky man of about 5ft 7in, with a slightly ruddy complexion and fair thinning hair, was led in handcuffs into the packed courtroom. Plainclothes gardai had accompanied him in a maroon unmarked car on the short drive from Naas Garda station where he had stayed overnight. Mr Crerar did not look up at either the judge or the public gallery. The father of five was wearing the same clothes he had been in when arrested two days ago - a mustard open-neck shirt, cream trousers, black runners and a blue and black waterproof jacket.
He appeared agitated during the hearing and remained seated on a bench with his head bowed throughout, even when the rest of the court rose as District Judge Thomas Ballagh entered at 11.10 a.m.
Det Garda Mark Carroll from Newbridge Garda station told the court that at 7.23 p.m. on Tuesday he informed Mr Crerar he was arresting him under Section 4 of the 1989 Criminal Justice Act for the murder of Ms Phyllis Murphy at a date unknown between December 22nd 1979 and January 18th 1980. When cautioned, Mr Crerar had replied "not guilty", he said.
Det Garda Carroll said he then charged Mr Crerar with the murder at 8.10 p.m. and he once again replied "not guilty".
Mr Crerar's solicitor, Mr Conal Boyce, explained to the judge that his client was on legal aid and that he had not yet received instructions in the case. After some discussion, Judge Ballagh agreed to remand Mr Crerar in custody until today. He was held overnight in Mountjoy prison.
After the hearing, the court continued with the other listed cases. Mr Crerar remained seated for a further 10 minutes before being led through the court building to the waiting car.
The crowd of more than 100 people, which had swollen outside the courthouse during the hearing, jeered and shouted abuse at Mr Crerar as he left, his hand covering his face. He was ushered down the steps past two lines of gardai and escorted to a waiting Garda car.
Mr Crerar has a claim against the Department of Defence for alleged hearing damage resulting from his 13 years of service in the defence forces. Mr Crerar lodged a claim for hearing damage through a firm of solicitors in Kildare. The case was scheduled for hearing at the High Court on Monday next.