Sister of man found dead in his home among two charged with his murder

A MAN and a woman have been charged with the murder of a middle-aged father whose body was found in his Cork home after relatives became concerned about him.

Helen Jones (52) and Keith O’Hara (41), both of Cahergal Avenue, Mayfield, Co Cork, were charged before Cork District Court with the murder of Paul Jones (55), whose body was found in a rented house on the Bandon Road in Cork last September.

Ms Jones is the sister of the deceased.

Mr Jones was found dead in the living room of his home on September 7 after emergency services gained entry to the property.

His teenage son raised the alarm after being unable to contact his father.

Emergency services were notified when repeated attempts to contact Mr Jones on his phone failed and a number of his relatives called to the Bandon Road property amid concern for his welfare.

Although the body was found on Saturday, Mr Jones was last seen on Tuesday of the previous week.

Detective Garda Myles Moran gave evidence of the arrest, caution and charge of Ms Jones.

He told Judge Olann Kelleher she made no reply to the murder charge when it was formally put to her.

Detective Garda Maurice O’Connor gave evidence of the arrest, caution and charge of Mr O’Hara.

He made no reply when the same charge was formally put to him after caution.

Ms Jones was previously charged with aggravated burglary at Mr Jones’s house on Bandon Road on September 4 and that she had a knife with her at the time.

Mr O’Hara was charged with a single count of entering as a trespasser the home of Mr Jones at Bandon Road in Cork on September 4 with intent to commit an assault causing harm.

Trial

Judge Kelleher was told last week by Sgt Gearoid Davis that gardaí have received instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions in respect of the case.

Sgt John Kelleher confirmed that books of evidence were now being prepared for both accused.

Ms Jones and Mr O’Hara will be sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court.

As a murder charge is involved, bail can only be dealt with by the High Court.

Judge Kelleher remanded both to appear again by video-link before Cork District Court on March 2.

Mr Jones had lived on the Bandon Road for a number of years. However, he was originally from the Cahergal Avenue area of Mayfield.

Mr Jones was found dead in his living room after his teen son raised the alarm