A 29-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with the manslaughter of a pensioner in his own home in April of last year.
Eddie Wing, with a temporary address at Limerick St, Roscrea, Co Tipperary, had nothing to say when charged with the manslaughter of Offaly publican Matt Farrell at his home and pub, The Gaelic Bar, in Daingean, Co Offaly, on April 1st last year, Tullamore District Court has heard.
Mr Wing was also charged with burglary at the bar on the same date and with burgling four other pubs in Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Kilkenny in February 2009.
Members of the Farrell family were present for the court appearance. These included Matthew Farrell, who found his father’s body at 7.30am on the morning he died.
A bail application was made by Mr Wing’s solicitor, John Hughes, but following Garda objections, the issue was deferred.
Judge William Hamill remanded Mr Wing in custody to Cloverhill District Court this Friday, saying that bail could be addressed again at that time.
A 22-year-old woman was remanded in custody but with consent to bail after she was charged with the offence of assisting Mr Wing.
The charge against Rachel Tobin, Lawlor’s Lane, Fairgreen, Portlaoise, read that between January 29th, 2009, and April 30th, 2009, she had impeded the apprehension or prosecution of someone she knew or believed to have been guilty of manslaughter and burglary.
Her independent bailsperson was unable to provide €1,000 cash to the court to secure her immediate release.
If she does meet her bail, she will have to observe a curfew between 10pm and 7am and not contact in any way any of the witnesses in the case, whose names were given in writing to the judge.
She will also have to sign on twice-weekly at Portlaoise Garda station. She is due to appear before Tullamore District Court tomorrow.