Manslaughter accused gets bail despite Garda warning

A MAN charged with the manslaughter of a 32-year-old labourer suffered a serious head injury outside a take-away has been granted bail despite gardaí warning he poses a threat to the community.

Christian Fleming, 20, appeared in court in Kerry yesterday, charged with the manslaughter of Stephen O’Connor last Sunday.

Mr O’Connor, 32, died on Monday after suffering a serious injury in an altercation outside a fast-food outlet in Killorglin, Co. Kerry, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

He was transferred to Cork University Hospital where he died on Monday after his life-support was switched off. He was buried in Glencar, Co. Kerry, yesterday.

Christian Fleming appeared in court yesterday and was charged with the manslaughter of Mr O’Connor. He made no reply when the charge was put to him.

Mr Fleming, a bar worker, who wept during the proceedings, was granted bail despite strenuous objections from gardaí.

Sergeant Micheal Quirke objected to bail on a several grounds including the seriousness of the charge and the nature and strength of the evidence which included CCTV footage.

The garda also believed Mr Fleming, of Mount Lyne in Killorglin, posed a threat to the community, given the nature of the alleged crime.

Judge David Waters said the bail application was not to go into specifics or the nature of the evidence.

Sgt Quirke agreed with defence counsel that the accused was not a flight risk.

The judge said the accused would be entitled to bail on strict conditions. He remanded Mr Fleming on bail on his own bond of €6,000, €2,000 of which was lodged in court.

The defendant must sign on daily at Killorglin Garda Station, be contactable at all times and to observe a curfew. He must remain sober and is to have no contact with the victim’s family, the court heard.

Legal aid was granted and Mr Fleming will appear again at Killarney District Court next Tuesday.