Book of evidence served on man accused of young Tralee mother’s murder
A BOOK of evidence has been served on the man accused of murdering Tralee woman Nicola Collins in Cork city in March of this year.
In mid August Cathal O’Sullivan (44) of Popham’s Road, Farranree, Cork City was charged with the murder of Nicola Collins – a 38-year-old mother of three – at his flat on March 27, 2017.
After he was charged Cathal O’Sullivan – who is originally from Chareleville in north
Cork – was remanded in custody pending the finalisation of the book of evidence in the case.
Last week at Cork District Court Judge John King was told by Garda Inspector Gary McPolin that the book of evidence has now been served on Cathal O’Sullivan.
Judge King subsequently made on order to return Mr O’Sullivan for trial. He was then remanded in continuing custody to appear before the current sittings of the Central Criminal Court in Dublin to fix a trial date.
It is expected that the trial will take place at some time next year.
Cathal O’Sullivan – who was granted legal aid on foot of an application by his barrister Peter Flynn – denies the charge against him.
At a previous sitting in August, Cork District Court heard that Cathal O’Sullivan had replied ‘not guilty’ when the charge was put to him after caution by Detective Sergeant Kieran O’Sullivan of Mayfield Garda Station.
The body of Ms Collins, a native of St Brendans Park in Tralee but resident at Clashduv Road in the Togher area of Cork, was found in an upstairs flat at Popham’s Road, Farranree on Cork’s Northside at around 3am on March 27 last.
Ms Collins was found with serious injuries when the emergency services were called to the flat, which was located over a convenience store.
The emergency services had been alerted by a man who was living in the flat and they attended to Ms Collins but they were unable to revive her and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Gardai upgraded their inquiry to a murder investigation after a post-mortem.