Man charged with murder of Conor O’Brien in Co Meath

Earl McKevitt (50) remanded in custody over death of 19-year-old in Enfield, Co Meath

Earl McKevitt (50), of Avondale Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, appeared before Carlow District Court on Friday charged with murder and gun offences. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
Earl McKevitt (50), of Avondale Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, appeared before Carlow District Court on Friday charged with murder and gun offences. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Co Wexford teenager Conor O'Brien last week and a number of gun offences.

Earl McKevitt (50), of Avondale Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, appeared before Carlow District Court on Friday.

He was charged with murdering the 19-year-old last Thursday or Friday, August 26th or 27th, at Trim Road, Enfield, Co Meath.

The accused is also charged with a number of offences alleged to have been committed on Tuesday, August 31st, at the Talbot Hotel, Graiguecullen, Carlow, including possession of a semi-automatic pistol, ammunition and a knife.

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Det Ian Roche, of Carlow Garda station, told Judge Geraldine Carthy the ammunition charge related to six rounds of ammunition.

Conor O’Brien
Conor O’Brien

Mr O'Brien was originally from Gorey, Co Wexford, but had in recent months been living at a property in Enfield owned by a family member.

His remains were found on the driveway of the property last Friday morning. Gardaí suspect he was fatally shot the previous evening.

The teenager had been due to start a blacksmith apprenticeship in Limerick and was set to move there last weekend.

Judge Carthy remanded Mr McKevitt in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court by video link next Friday.

A request for legal aid and medical treatment for the accused man, made to the court by his solicitor, was granted by the judge.

Conor Lally

Conor Lally

Conor Lally is Security and Crime Editor of The Irish Times