The driver of a Prison Service van has told a judge that the reason he was late delivering a man accused of murdering his two sons to a sitting of the District Court was because he had “got lost” along the way.
Sanjeev Chada (43), Ballinkillen, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, was due at Castlebar District Court, Co Mayo, at 10.30am. Mr Chada is charged with murdering his sons, Eoghan (10) and Ruairí (5), at Skehanagh, Ballintubber, Co Mayo, on July 29th.
He was collected by the Prison Service at the Cen- tral Mental Hospital in Dub- lin at 6am yesterday but was not in Castlebar court by the time his case was called.
Judge Mary Devins took exception to the delay, say- ing that somebody accused of murder should be in court at the appointed time.
Apologising, Garda Supt Patrick Diskin said Mr Chada was in the custody of the prison authorities who were responsible for bringing him to the hearing.
Mr Chada, who was handcuffed to a garda, even- tually arrived in court at 11.15am where he was presented with the books of evidence in respect of both charges.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the Prison Service driver told Judge Devins he had taken a wrong turn.