A 35-year-old man was charged with the murder of an elderly Co Galway farmer when he appeared before Galway District Court yesterday.
Mr Patrick O'Connor, a native of Poulboy, Kilgainey, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, denies murdering Mr Tommy Casey (68) Oranbeg, Oranmore, an unmarried man, in January, 1996.
At yesterday's court hearing Mr O'Connor was charged with the murder of Mr Casey on a date unknown between January 15th and 23rd, 1996. He was further charged with assaulting Mr Casey with intent to rob him, with breaking into Mr Casey's house on January 15th, 1996 and with falsely imprisoning him against his will on the same date.
Mr O`Connor denied his involvement and said in reply to all four charges that he was totally innocent.
As Mr O'Connor had been extradited from England on other charges, the DPP sought the permission of the British Home Secretary, Mr Jack Straw, to have him questioned and later charged with the Casey murder.
Supt Tony Finnerty said the DPP had received the consent on March 13th last from Mr Straw.
Mr Robert Eagar, defending solicitor, asked when the book of evidence would be ready as it had been with the DPP for a long time. Supt Finnerty said it would be ready as soon as possible.
Judge John Garavan then remanded Mr O'Connor in custody to appear before the court again on March 27th.
Just over four years ago, Mr Casey battered body was found in his home. He had been dead for at least two days before his body was discovered by neighbours and a local garda. He had suffered extensive injuries to his head and chest.