Sanjeev Chada to be served book of evidence in sons’ murders

A father who is facing charges of murdering his two sons made another court appearance today.

Sanjeev Chada (43) from Ballinkillen, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow arrived at Harristown District Court this morning after being taken the short distance from the adjoining Castlerea Prison where he is on remand.

The accused man has been on suicide watch at the request of his solicitor since being detained at the Co Roscommon prison over two months ago.

He is facing charges of murdering his sons, Eoghan (10) and Ruairi (5) at Skehanagh, Ballintubber, Co Mayo on July 29th last.

The charges followed the discovery of the bodies of the two boys in a car boot after the vehicle had crashed into a stone wall at Ballintubber, just four few miles from Westport town.

Today, Mr Chada stood before the court with his head bowed and did not speak during the brief hearing. He has been in receipt of legal aid since the court was advised at an earlier hearing that he had no income.

Inspector Padraig Jones told Judge Geoffrey Browne that the instructions of the Director of Public Prosecutions had been received in the case and he applied to have the accused man remanded in custody to appear at Castlebar District Court on November 6th for service of the book of evidence in the case. Judge Browne made the remand order after hearing that the application was with the consent of the defence.