THREE PEOPLE, including a young woman, have been charged with the manslaughter of a 20-year-old student who was assaulted in Mullingar late last year.
Jessica Hughes (19), of Greenfield Heights, Rathwire, Killucan, Co Westmeath; Patrick Farrell (20), of Cornamuckla, Broadford, Co Kildare; and Patrick Daly (22) of Mulphedder, Clonard, Co Meath are charged with unlawfully killing Andrew Dolan on Pearse Street, Mullingar, on January 1st.
Mr Dolan, who was from Carrick-on-Shannon and studied biomedical science at NUI Galway, was assaulted in the Westmeath town on December 23rd and passed away at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin on New Year’s Day.
Det Gda Peter Kelly said the three defendants met by arrangement at Mullingar Garda station yesterday. None of the three made any reply when charged with unlawful killing, contrary to common law, and were granted bail on condition they hand over their passports and sign on weekly at Mullingar Garda station.
The court heard three people were assaulted on December 23rd at the same location.
Patrick Daly is also charged with assaulting a second man, causing him harm, and Patrick Farrell is charged with common assault on a third man.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment and the three will appear before Judge Séamus Hughes again on March 22nd at Mullingar District Court to be served with the book of evidence.
Legal aid applications have also been adjourned to that date.
Ms Hughes has taken a year out from her veterinary course and is working one day a week to fund her studies and Mr Daly has been working since January, the court heard. Families of the three defendants were in court to act as bailspersons, but the victim’s family was not.
Det Insp Martin Cadden said Mr Dolan’s family had been informed of the court appearance, but had chosen not to attend.