Two men and a youth have appeared in court charged in connection with the death of William Moorehouse in Bray, Co Wicklow in January.
Mr Moorehouse (36), of the Half Moon Halting Site near Bray, was fatally injured in an altercation at a playground in the Ballywaltrim area of the town.
Patrick Fitzpatrick (33), with an address at Oldcourt, Bray, came before Arklow District Court on Wednesday charged with murdering Mr Moorehouse and violent disorder.
James Fell (24), of Fassaroe, Bray, and a 17-year-old male, who cannot be named as he is a minor, were both charged with violent disorder and possession of articles capable of inflicting serious injury.
Det Sgt Ger Brennan, of Bray Garda station, told the court that when the charge of murder was put to Mr Fitzpatrick, he replied: “It’s f***ing bulls**t. Do your job right.”
When charged with violent disorder, he said Mr Fitzpatrick responded: “I just want to speak to my solicitor.”
There was no application for bail for Mr Fitzpatrick, who Judge David Kennedy remanded in custody to appear before Bray District Court on Thursday. The judge granted the accused man legal aid.
Det Garda Brian Coen, of Greystones Garda station, gave evidence of charging Mr Fell with one count of violent disorder and one count of producing of an article likely to cause harm.
He said Mr Fell had made no reply to the charge of violent disorder, but in response to the charge of producing an article had said: “That’s bulls**t that is.”
Judge Kennedy granted bail on condition that Mr Fell stay away from his co-accused; agree to a bond of €750; sign on daily at Coolock Garda station in Dublin; stay away from Bray unless attending court; obey a curfew from 11pm to 7am and provide his address and phone number to gardaí.
Judge Kennedy also granted Mr Fell legal aid and ordered him to appear before Bray District Court on June 16th.
Det Sgt John Hall, of Bray Garda station, told the court the teenager made no reply when charged with violent disorder and producing an article capable of causing serious harm.
He said gardaí were concerned the juvenile would not adhere to bail conditions as he is regularly reported absent from a care home in the Bray area. A social worker with Tusla confirmed that they shared this concern.
Judge Kennedy remanded the youth in custody to Oberstown detention centre to appear by video-link at Bray District Court on Thursday.
