THE husband of murder victim Mrs Philomena Gillane was returned for trial yesterday on charges of assaulting a garda and of causing malicious damage to a Garda car.
Mr Pat Gillane of Glenbrack, Gort, Co Galway, denied at Gort District Court charges of assaulting Garda William Beirne, causing him actual bodily harm and of, causing malicious damage to the value of £253 to a Garda patrol car at Ballindereen, Co Galway, on May 7th.
When given a choice, Mr Gillane opted for trial by judge and jury in the Circuit Criminal Court. He replied "not guilty" after each of the charges was read out after a brief hearing.
The State withdrew an application to bind the defendant to the peace on a charge of using abusive, threatening and insulting," language towards Garda Michael Ryan, calculated to lead to a breach of the peace.
Supt Paul Mockler, prosecuting, applied for an adjournment of the case until February 26th when he hoped to have a Book of Evidence available. Mr Colman Sherry, defending, requested that the adjournment date be put back until March 25th, a request acceded to by Judge Al O'Dea.
At a previous sitting of the court, a brother of the defendant, Mr Kevin Gillane, pleaded not guilty to assaulting Garda Beirne, occasioning him actual bodily harm, also on May 7th.