FOUR young men appeared before Galway District Court yesterday on charges relating to the unlawful killing of a Co Tipperary man in Galway last summer.
Two defendants had already appeared before a special sitting of the court last Thursday night, and the others were charged in relation to the manslaughter of Mr Colm Phelan (26) before the hearing.
Thomas Mongan (20) of Hillside Park, Ballybane, and Mr Brian McDonagh (18), of Hillside Park, were both charged with the unlawful killing of Mr Phelan at Eyre Square on July 21st, 1996.
They were also charged with engaging in violent disorder, along with Mr Jimmy Mongan and Mr Gerry Barry, by using or threatening to use unlawful violence, causing people to fear for their safety, on the same occasion.
Mr Jimmy Mongan (18), also of Hillside Park, and Mr Barry (17), of St James's Crescent, Mervue, Galway, were charged late last Thursday night.
Mr Phelan collapsed during violent exchanges in Eyre Square at about 2 a.m. on July 21st and died shortly afterwards.
A post mortem examination revealed he had died from a brain haemorrhage, as a result of being struck on the neck with a blunt instrument.
Yesterday, Mr Gerry Gannon, solicitor for Thomas Mongan, was refused a bail application for his client after the court heard that Mongan was already serving a sentence for an unrelated conviction.
Insp Pat Forde objected to bail, on the grounds that Mongan had failed to appear in court on another charge last year.
Insp Forde added that the Garda had confidential information that Mongan would abscond if granted bail and he told Judge John Garavan a book of evidence was expected within five to six weeks.
The defending solicitor for Mr McDonagh, Mr Sean O'Carroll, did not seek bail for his client during the short hearing.
Det Garda Tony Reidy objected to bail for Mr Barry, after voicing his fear that he would interfere with witnesses.
All four defendants were remanded in custody to St Patrick's Institution,