Man charged with murder of John O’Neill (78) in Lisdoonvarna

A 32-year-old man appeared in court on Saturday night charged with the murder of pensioner John O’Neill.

At a special sitting of Ennis District Court at 9.25pm on Saturday, Thomas Lorigan, of no fixed abode, appeared charged with the murder of Mr O'Neill (78) at St Brendan's Road, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, at an unknown time on January 6th/7th.

Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution at Ennis Garda station at 8.03pm on Saturday, Dt Sgt John Farmer of Kilrush Garda station told the court that when cautioned and charged, Mr Lorigan said "no comment".

Insp Helen Costello told the court that the Garda application was to remand Mr Lorigan in custody and that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed a trial on indictment.

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Solicitor for Mr Lorigan, Shiofra Hassett, asked that Mr Lorigan be psychiatrically assessed while on remand in prison.

Judge Marie Keane remanded Mr Lorigan to Limerick Prison and directed that it be noted on the warrant that Mr Lorigan consented to being transferred to Cloverhill prison, where he will be automatically psychiatrically assessed.

Ms Justice Keane granted legal aid to Ms Hassett to represent Mr Lorigan in the case.

Ms Justice Keane remanded Mr Lorigan in custody to appear via videolink from prison at Ennis District Court on Wednesday next.