A MAN appeared in court on Saturday charged with the murder of construction worker Frankie Heneghan in Kiltimagh, Co Mayo, last week.
There was a strong Garda presence when Fintan McKenna (23), Woodlands, Balla, Castlebar, appeared before Judge Gerard Furlong at a special sitting of Castlebar District Court.
Sgt Gary Walsh gave evidence of arresting Mr McKenna at 4.50pm on Friday.
Sgt Walsh said that when charged, Mr McKenna replied: “I didn’t do that – didn’t kill him. If I did kill him I didn’t mean it.”
On the application of Supt Ronan Galligan, the judge remanded McKenna in custody to appear at Harristown court on Friday.
The judge granted legal aid to Mr McKenna, who is unemployed. The judge also agreed to a request by his solicitor, Gearóid Geraghty, for a medical assessment of the defendant while he is on remand.
Mr McKenna sat with his head down throughout the proceedings, which lasted about two minutes.
Relatives of Mr Heneghan were among those in the public gallery.
The funeral of Mr Heneghan, who lived with his partner Grace and their two children in Balla, near Castlebar, is scheduled for tomorrow in Ballyheane Cemetery, following requiem Mass in the local church at midday.