A JUDGE has urged that a 39-year-old suspect linked to the death of a teenager nine days ago in a pub on Arranmore Island, off Donegal, be placed on suicide watch in prison.
Stephen Boyle, who was twice taken to Letterkenny General Hospital during questioning by gardaí last week, has been accused of intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to 19-year-old Paul Francis Boyle on October 3rd, at Leabgarrow, Arranmore.
He remained silent during a four-minute hearing on Saturday before Judge Kevin Kilrane, at a special sitting of Ballyshannon District Court.
He sat alone in a front-row bench of the public gallery, left eye blackened and wearing jeans and a navy pullover, as Sgt Eamonn Griffin, of Dungloe Garda station, gave evidence of arrest at Glenties Garda station at 10.59am on Saturday.
Sgt Griffin said Stephen Boyle made no reply when cautioned.
His address was given as Austen House, Cambridge Road, Kilburn Park, London.
Insp Sylvie Henry asked that he be remanded in custody to Harristown District Court, Castlerea, Co Roscommon, until next Friday and it was granted with no defence objection.
Defence solicitor Frank Dorrian successfully applied for legal aid. He said the defendant had not been employed since July.
When Judge Kilrane pointed to a report before him and asked if Mr Dorrian had read it, the solicitor replied that he had.
The judge said: “Very good. I recommend that he be put on suicide watch in prison.”