A MAN appeared in court in Co Wicklow yesterday charged in connection with a shooting at his home on Tuesday.
Patrick O’Byrne (18) of Three Wells, Aughrim, Co Wicklow was charged at Bray District Court with assault causing harm to Seamus O’Byrne (50).
Mr O’Byrne sustained a shotgun wound to his back at the family farm on Tuesday afternoon. He is expected to recover from his injuries.
The victim was understood to be in a critical but stable condition at St Vincent’s hospital in Dublin yesterday.
Dressed in a grey hoodie, navy tracksuit bottoms and white runners, the defendant told Judge Murrough Connellan that he was not working at present and wanted to apply for free legal aid.
He said he did not know any solicitors and Judge Connellan appointed Brendan Maloney as his representative and granted legal aid to the accused.
Mr Maloney said he would not be making an application for bail.
Sgt Brendan Hobbs of Arklow Garda station told the court of the circumstances of Mr O’Byrne’s arrest and charge.
Sgt Hobbs said that when charged the defendant replied: “I understand the charge”.
Judge Connellan remanded the defendant in custody to appear at a sitting of Bray District Court on Thursday next.
He requested that a psychiatric and psychological assessment of the defendant be carried out.