Gardaí have been given an extension of time to prepare the book of evidence in the case against a 20-year-old student charged with the manslaughter of Midleton boy, Robert Holohan.
Mr Wayne O'Donoghue, a structural engineering student at Cork Institute of Technology, is charged with the unlawful killing of the 11-year-old schoolboy at Ballyedmond Hill, Midleton on January 4th last.
Yesterday, Supt Liam Hayes applied to Midleton District Court for a two week remand in custody and for an extension to the time for the preparation of the book of evidence against Mr O'Donoghue of Ballyedmond Hill, Midleton.
Supt Hayes told Judge Michael Pattwell that a two week remand would bring the case outside the 42 day limit set for the preparation of the book of evidence but it was necessary because of the huge size of the file involved. "I can say that over 1,000 statements were taken and nearly 2,000 jobs had to be done. To put it altogether for the book of evidence is a huge job," said Supt Hayes.
Mr O'Donoghue's solicitor, Mr Frank Buttimer, said his client was consenting to the remand and to the State's application for a time extension.
Mr Buttimer said he didn't want to go into detail on his client's position but there were a number of options open to him.
He would not be deciding his position until certain information was forthcoming from the State.
Judge Pattwell wondered was there any point in bringing Mr O'Donoghue back again so soon if the file is so huge. But he granted the extension of time and remanded the accused to appear in court on March 3rd. Yesterday was Mr O'Donoghue's fourth appearance in court since he was first charged on January 17th.
