A 26-year-old man from Ballina, Co Mayo, was remanded in custody today when he appeared in court charged with the murder of two elderly brothers at their home in Castlebar on Wednesday.
Alan Cawley, whose address was given as Four Winds, Corrimbla, Ballina, made a brief appearance before Judge Mary Devins at Swinford District Court.
Detective Sergeant Gary Walsh of Castlebar Garda station gave evidence of arresting the accused at 1.08 this morning and later charging him with the murders of Jackie Blaine and his brother, Tommy, at Newantrim Street, Castlebar on Wednesday morning.
Sergeant Walsh said Mr Cawley made no reply to the first charge. In response to the second charge, he said: “I am sorry for all the torture I put people through.”
Garda Supt Patrick Diskin applied to the court for a remand in custody to Harristown Court, Castlerea, next Friday.
Niamh Bambury, solicitor, asked that the accused be psychiatrically assessed in prison and closely monitored. She requested free legal aid for her client.
Judge Devins directed immediate psychiatric attention as appropriate.
Mr Cawley was dressed in an orange hoodie and didn’t speak at all during the brief hearing.