THREE CORK men have been remanded on bail after they were charged yesterday with the manslaughter of a 65-year-old farmer who was assaulted during a dispute over land at Rylane, in Co Cork, last year.
Connie O’Sullivan (57), Annagannighy, Rylane, his son Finbarr O’Sullivan (24), Millview Terrace, Model Village, Dripsey, and his nephew, Thomas Byrne (24), Rylane East, were all charged over the death of John Twomey on August 19th, 2008.
Mr Twomey and his brother Patrick (68), from Aghabullogue, were allegedly assaulted during an altercation with the three other men while the brothers were carrying out reclamation work at Mount Rivers, Rylane.
Mr O’Sullivan snr, a farmer, Mr O’Sullivan jnr, an unemployed apprentice painter, and Mr Byrne, an apprentice welder, were also charged with assault causing harm to Patrick Twomey at Mount Rivers, Rylane, on the same date.
Yesterday at Macroom District Court, Det Garda Tom O’Sullivan gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in respect of Connie O’Sullivan.
He said Mr O’Sullivan replied to the manslaughter charge: “I am not guilty – I saw his brother kill him.”
Det Garda Alan O’Sullivan and Garda Ray Griffin told the court that neither Finbarr O’Sullivan nor Thomas Byrne replied to either the manslaughter or assault charges when arrested.
Insp Tony Sugrue said gardaí had no objection to bail for any of the three once they gave undertakings to surrender their passports and not apply for new ones, and to sign on twice a week at Macroom Garda station.
Judge James McNulty remarked on the seriousness of the charges and remanded all three on their own bail of €10,000 each to reappear at Macroom District Court on December 2nd.
Judge McNulty also heard that books of evidence had been completed by gardaí and were ready to be served on them. This would be done once they had signed their bail bonds and were released