A senior garda in Co Clare yesterday confirmed that members of Ann Walsh's family have been banned from attending District Court sittings being brought against the man charged with Ms Walsh's murder last August.
Insp Tom Kennedy, of Ennis Garda station, was speaking after gardaí yesterday forcibly removed from court two family members after the man charged with her murder was verbally abused.
At Ennis District Court yesterday, Raymond Donavan (23), of New Houses, Cooraclare, was making his third appearance in court. He is charged with the murder of Ms Walsh (23), at Toler Street, Kilrush, on August 24th last.
Prior to the case being heard yesterday, gardaí approached two family members and requested them to leave the court.
Mr Donavan, who was flanked by prison officers on either side, was subjected to verbal abuse. Two family members were forcibly removed by gardaí from the packed courtroom.
It is the second time that the two have been removed from court by gardaí. On September 23rd last, they were removed arising from a court disturbance prompted by Mr Donavan being assaulted by Kilrush man, Leslie Kenny (23), of Elm Drive. The court disturbance resulted in the presiding judge having to retreat to his chambers.
Last month, Mr Kenny received a five-month jail term after pleading guilty to assaulting Mr Donavan.
Yesterday, Judge Joseph Mangan had not commenced the court sitting when the two family members were removed.
Speaking after the hearing, Insp Kennedy said that following consultations with Judge Mangan prior to yesterday's case, it has been decided that members of Ms Walsh's family are now banned from attending court sittings in relation to the proceedings being taken against Mr Donavan.
Insp Kennedy said: "This decision has been made arising from previous incidents at the court and to avoid any unsavoury incidents in court in the future."
At yesterday's sitting, State solicitor Martin Linnane applied for an adjournment in the case to December 16th next to allow a Book of Evidence be served on Mr Donavan.
As part of their investigation into the case, gardaí have taken 112 witness statements. A previous charge against Mr Donavan of intentionally or recklessly causing harm to Ms Walsh on August 24th was withdrawn earlier this month.
Mr Donavan was remanded in custody until a hearing at Ennis District Court on December 16th.