Man accused of friend’s murder said it was an act of self-defence, court sitting told

A man accused of murdering his friend told gardaí he was acting in self-defence, a court has been told.

Padraig Delaney (43) appeared before a sitting of Naas District Court in Co Kildare yesterday morning charged with the murder of Shane Knott (37), who died violently on a date unknown between April 3 and April 14. The alleged offence took place at the accused’s home at The Lane, Eustace Demesne, in Naas.

During the court hearing, the defence was granted an application to have an independent post-mortem examination carried out after stating that the post-mortem report “does not tie in” with their version of events.

Detective Sergeant Enda Gallagher gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution, saying the accused responded: “It was in self-defence.”

Asked to give an outline of the case, he said the State was alleging that a relative of the accused contacted gardaí at a Dublin garda station last Sunday raising concerns about a body being at Mr Delaney’s home.

The court was told gardaí attended the scene and discovered the body of Shane Knott in the back garden.

Det Sgt Gallagher said the investigation team was satisfied that Mr Knott “died violently” and that his death occurred at the scene.

Asked by Judge Desmond Zaidan whether the State was alleging a weapon was used, the witness said this was one line of inquiry being explored.

He said a number of items, including a piece of timber, had been seized and that investigations were ongoing.

The court was told Mr Knott was a friend of the accused and sustained injuries to various parts of his body, including the head.

The State applied for Mr Delaney to be remanded in custody as an application for bail on a murder charge can be granted only by the High Court.

Defence solicitor Tim Kennelly informed the court that he was making a number of applications including for legal aid, which was granted.

He also said he wanted to apply for an independent post-mortem examination to be carried out.

Mr Kenneally said that certain matters were put to his client in an interview relating to the post-mortem results, adding that these do not “tie in with what we say is the true and accurate version of events”. He also said that the medical report “does not in any way support what we say is self-defence”.

The defence also applied for legal aid to be extended for them to carry out their own independent examination of the crime scene.

The court was briefly adjourned for gardaí to receive instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Inspector Paul Reilly then informed the court that the State was not objecting to independent examinations of the deceased’s remains and the crime scene.

Judge Zaidan said the defence was “fortunate” that the State was acceding to the request and that the information given to him was “very scant”.

Mr Kennelly responded that he did not believe his application was scant and that it was remarkably clear.

The judge granted both requests, and a further application for Mr Delaney to be given medical and psychiatric treatment while in custody.

Mr Delaney was remanded to appear in court again tomorrow by video link.