Two women have been arrested and charged by Czech police in connection with the robbery of two Kilkenny men who were on a Macra na Feirme outing in Prague last month.
One of the men, Mr Michael O'Leary (23), had been robbed of his passport, driving licence, wallet and money when he was found dead in a public park in Prague on Sunday, April 22nd. His colleague, Mr Padraig McNally, was found lying unconscious beside him. He too had been robbed of money and his watch.
The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed yesterday evening that further charges may be brought against the women but this will depend on the final results of an autopsy carried out on Mr O'Leary.
Autopsies were carried out both in the Czech Republic and Ireland. The State pathologist, Prof John Harbison, carried out a post-mortem examination after Mr O'Leary's remains were returned from Prague last Thursday night.
The results of toxicology tests carried out on the body in Prague are expected "in the next day or two", according to the president-elect of Macra na Feirme, Mr Seamus Phelan.
He said the results of tests carried out by Prof Harbison are not expected for some time.
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said Czech police had informed the Irish Embassy in Prague of the developments. It had not been informed of the names or nationalities of the women charged, he said.
Mr Phelan said that when the Callan branch of Macra, of which Mr O'Leary was chairman, returned from Prague the members faced a barrage of accusations that Mr O'Leary and Mr McNally had just over-indulged in alcohol. However, results of tests carried out on Mr McNally showed traces of sleeping tablets, which he had not taken, in his system. It was proof that the drinks of the men had been spiked, he said.
Mr O'Leary, a graduate of Glasgow University, was buried in Callan at the weekend. He and Mr McNally were last seen by other members of their Macra branch at a salsa nightclub in Prague in the early hours of April 22nd. Mr McNally could not recall how he ended up in the park, where he was found.
Ms Avril Doyle MEP confirmed last night she had requested an urgent debate on the incident in Strasbourg.