Judge remands man in conspiracy to murder case

A court was told yesterday that a Las Vegas man charged with conspiring to murder two Ennis men has been ijail for almost a year…

A court was told yesterday that a Las Vegas man charged with conspiring to murder two Ennis men has been ijail for almost a year and is suffering from ill-health.

At Ennis District Court yesterday, solicitor for Essam Eid objected to his further remand in custody to allow the State more time prepare a Book of Evidence. Mr Eid (51), of Las Vegas, Nevada, is charged with conspiring with Sharon Collins, of Ballybeg House, Kildysart Road, to murder two Ennis businessmen in their 20s, Robert and Niall Howard, in the State sometime between August 16th and September 26th last year.

Insp Tom Kennedy yesterday sought additional time in preparing the Book of Evidence. John Casey, defending, told Judge Leo Malone that his client has been in custody since September of last year after being arrested on a separate charge that relates to the same matter.

Mr Casey said Mr Eid was due to appear for trial at Ennis Circuit Court on June 26th but the State entered a nolle prosequi in relation to a charge that Mr Eid made an unwarranted demand with menaces for €100,000 to cancel a contract on the lives of Robert Howard, Niall Howard and PJ Howard at Ballaghboy, Doora, Ennis.

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Mr Casey said the State has objected to every bail application and only entered the nolle prosequi at the very last minute.

Judge Malone remanded Mr Eid in custody to appear before Ennis District Court on September 7th to allow the State more time to prepare the Book of Evidence. Ms Collins is on bail and is due to appear before Ennis District Court next month.

Gordon Deegan

Gordon Deegan

Gordon Deegan is a contributor to The Irish Times