A 25-year-old man has been remanded in custody after he was charged with the murder of his mother and serious assault of his father near the family’s home in Cork on Monday night.
David Gallagher of Shrewsbury Downs, Ballinlough, Cork was charged with the murder of his mother, Stella Gallagher (59) at Shrewsbury Downes, Ballinlough on November 17th contrary to common law.
Mr Gallagher was also charged with assault causing harm to his father, Brian Gallagher (63) contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offence Against the Person Act 1997 at the same location on the same occasion.
Det Sgt Niall Hayes of Blackrock Garda station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. He told Cork District Court that he arrested Mr Gallagher at Kyrl St in Cork and charged him with both offences and he made no reply to either charge.
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Court presenter, Sgt John Kelleher, said that given that bail was not available to an accused person on a murder charge at District Court level, he was applying for a remand in custody for seven days on both charges.
Det Sgt Niall Hayes confirmed to defence solicitor Shane Collins Daly that his client had been assessed by a doctor upon his arrest and detention at the Bridewell Garda station and he had been seen on average every eight hours by a doctor including at 11am today.
Mr Collins Daly said Mr Gallagher had been receiving medication from doctors on these examinations and he was applying to have him medically and psychiatrically evaluated as a matter of urgency upon his arrival on remand at Cork Prison.
Judge John King noted Mr Collins Daly’s application and directed that he should receive urgent psychiatric evaluation and treatment, if necessary, upon his arrival at Cork Prison. He also remanded him in custody to appear at Cork District Court again on November 26th by video link.
Mr Collins Daly also applied for free legal aid saying his client was not working and Judge King granted Mr Gallagher free legal aid. Mr Gallagher, who was dressed in a wine coloured jumper and a light grey tracksuit pants, did not speak during the five minute hearing.
