Two men were charged in Cork District Court this morning with the murder of a man who spent nine months on a life-support machine following a random street attack.
Mr Ross Stapleton (21) of no fixed abode and Mr Paul Sheehan (20) of Arderrin Way, the Glen, Cork, were formally charged with the murder of Mr Christian Scully (28).
Mr Scully was the victim of an assault at Sober Lane, Sullivan's Quay, Cork city, on January 28th, 2002. He was on life support at Cork University Hospital until his death on October 17th of last year.
Garda Charlie O'Toole told the court he charged Mr Stapleton with the murder of Mr Scully yesterday morning at Anglesea street Garda station in Cork. The youth made no reply when charged and cautioned in connect with the offence.
He was assigned legal aid and will be sent forward for trial at the consent of the DPP.
Mr Stapleton had previously been charged with assault causing harm to Mr Scully. However, the electronics factory worker died shortly after the book of evidence was served in Mr Stapleton's case and the matter was sent back to the DPP.
The defendant's solicitor, Mr Joseph Cuddigan, expressed concern that his client would have to wait until 2004 for a trial at the Central Criminal Court. He said there was no valid reason why the book of evidence was not served in the case yesterday.
Judge Uinsin MacGruairc remanded Mr Stapleton in custody to facilitate the preparation of documents. He will appear before the court again on the 29th of this month.
Mr Sheehan was granted legal aid and remanded in custody to Cork prison until his next court appearance on January 29th also.