Murder accused kept in custody

A MAN accused of murdering elderly farmer Paddy Lyons has been remanded in custody for a further month to allow for completion of the book of evidence.

Ross Outram, 26, made his second appearance in Dungarvan District Court yesterday morning in relation to the charge.

He is accused of murdering the 90-year-old at Mr Lyons’s home outside the village of Ballysaggart, west Waterford, between February 24 and 25 last.

Mr Outram was arrested on Monday last week in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, and, after questioning, charged with the offence the following night. He was brought before Dungarvan District Court on Wednesday last week and remanded in custody. Inspector Larry Sheahan asked in court this week for a further remand in custody, of two weeks, for the preparation of a book of evidence.

Judge Terence Finn asked the inspector if he expected the book to be complete by then. Inspector Sheahan said he was of the opinion it would be completed within 30 days. ‘It’s at an advanced stage at the moment. There are some matters outstanding,’ he said.

Eamonn Hayes, solicitor for the accused, said a remand for 30 days would be by consent. Judge Finn remanded Mr Outram in custody until April 5, when he will appear again in Dungarvan District Court.

Mr Outram, of Ferryland, Waterford Road, Clonmel, wore a grey sweatshirt, white Tshirt, navy tracksuit bottoms and navy and white trainers. He was not required to speak in court. Last week, the court heard that he made no reply when charged.

Mr Lyons was found dead in his rural farmhouse on the evening of Saturday, February 25, after neighbours raised the alarm. He was buried last Monday after a funeral Mass in St Mary’s Church, Ballysaggart.