Local man charged after Newmarket shootings
Man charged in wake of Newmarket shootings
A 32-YEAR-OLD North Corkman has been remanded in custody after he was charged this week following a garda investigation into the shooting dead of two dogs and six horses at two farms in the Newmarket area at the weekend.
The dogs and horses were shot at two farms in the Newmarket area early on Sunday morning, prompting gardai from Kanturk and Mallow, backed up by the armed Regional Support Unit, to begin a major search operation to try and locate the gunman.
A man was arrested at Knocacummer, Meelin on Sunday afternoon and this Wednesday, Tom O’Connor from Ballyduane East, Newmarket was charged at Mallow District Court with a single offence arising from the death of a foal at one of the farms at Barnacurra, Newmarket.
Mr O’Connor was charged with having a .223 Tikka bolt action rifle at Barnacurra, Newmarket on September 9 with intent to cause criminal damage to a colt foal, ‘ Take Me to the Island’, the property of Denis Gerard McCarthy.
Det Sgt Hugh Twomey told the court that Mr O’Connor replied ‘Will they give me help if I go to court?’ when the charge was put to him.
Defence solicitor Charlie O’Connor said his client was not applying for bail at this point but asked that the defendant be psychiatrically assessed while in custody as there were concerns about his client’s medical state - Judge Sheridan ordered the assessment. Mr O’Connor is to appear again at Mallow District Court on September 19.
A 32 YEAR OLD North Corkman has been remanded in custody after he was charged this week following a garda investigation into the shooting dead of two dogs and six horses at two farms in Duhallow at the weekend.
The dogs and horses were shot at two farms in the Newmarket area early on Sunday morning, prompting gardai from Kanturk and Mallow, backed up by the armed Regional Support Unit, to begin a major search operation to try and locate the gunman.
A man was arrested at Knocacummer, Meelin on Sunday afternoon and this Wednesday, Tom O’Connor from Ballyduane East, Newmarket was charged at Mallow District Court with a single offence arising from the death of a foal at one of the farms at Barnacurra, Newmarket.
Mr O’Connor was charged with having a .223 Tikka bolt action rifle at Barnacurra, Newmarket on September 9 with intent to cause criminal damage to a colt foal, ‘ Take Me to the Island’, the property of Denis Gerard McCarthy.
Det Sgt Hugh Twomey gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and told the court that Mr O’Connor replied ‘Will they give me help if I go to court?’ when the charge was put to him after caution.
Insp Tony O’Sullivan told Judge Brian Sheridan that the matter was to be tried on indictment before a judge and jury at circuit court level and gardai were seeking a remand in custody for Mr O’Connor who spoke only to confirm his identity.
Defence solicitor Charlie O’Connor said that his client was not applying for bail at this point but he asked that he be psychiatrically assessed while in custody as he had concerns about his client’s medical state.
Judge Sheridan granted the state application for a remand in custody and ordered that Mr O’Connor be psychiatrically assessed as part of a medical examination while in custody to ascertain his fitness to plead in the case.
He remanded Mr O’Connor in custody to appear again at Mallow District Court on September 19 for preparation of the book of evidence in the case against him over the death of the colt foal which was just five months old.
He also granted Mr O’Connor free legal aid after hearing that, while he was working, he had no savings to pay for a solicitor to defend him on the charge, and he assigned Charlie O’Connor to represent him.