A 24-year old man has been charged with the murder of another man in Kilrush, Co Clare, earlier this week.
Brendan O’Sullivan of O’Gorman Street, Kilrush appeared before a special sitting of Ennis District Court this afternoon, charged with the murder of Leslie Kenny (27), from Kilrush, at O’Gorman Street in the town last Wednesday, July 29th.
Mr Kenny died after sustaining shot-gun wounds.
In giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Garda Donal Corkery told the court that when cautioned after being charged at 1.06pm at Kilrush Garda Station today, Mr O’Sullivan replied: “I didn’t intend to do this. I was trying to protect my family.”
Mr O’Sullivan’s solicitor, Eugene O’Kelly told Judge Joseph Mangan: “The charge is one of murder and it will be fully defended.”
After Mr O’Kelly handed in a statement of means to the court, Judge Mangan granted Mr O’Sullivan legal aid.
Garda Corkery confirmed to Mr O’Kelly that Mr O’Sullivan didn’t object to his period of detention being extended to facilitate the investigation while in custody.
Mr O’Kelly said that it was when Mr O’Sullivan went voluntarily to Kilrush Garda station on Wednesday that he was arrested by Garda Corkery. Garda Corkery agreed.
Supt Michael Comyns of Kilrush Garda station requested that Mr O’Sullivan be remanded in custody to re-appear before a vacation sitting of Ennis District Court on Monday next, August 3rd at midday.
Mr O’Kelly said he would not be objecting to the application to remand Mr O’Sullivan in custody.
Mr O’Kelly said: “The district court is not an appropriate court to apply for bail in this case and I will be subsequently be making an application for bail in the High Court.”
