TWO men facing separate charges of murder were refused bail by Mr Justice Barr in the High Court yesterday.
Mr Kenneth O'Reilly (22), Milltown Estate, Milltown, Co Kildare, is charged with the murder of a shopkeeper, Ms Joyce Quinn, on January 23rd.
The second applicant, Mr Francis Palmer (24), Foxborough Road, Lucan, Co Dublin, is charged with the murder of a farmer, Mr Daniel Fanning, at Stephenstown, Rosegreen, Cashel, Co Tipperary, on February 6th.
In the application by Mr O'Reilly, Supt Gerry Moran said Ms Quinn left her shop at Milltown to travel home. The following morning her body was found on The Curragh. Her car was also found. Mr O'Reilly was arrested on January 30th.
Ms Quinn had been stabbed in the chest and in the throat and robbed of the day's takings.
The superintendent said a number of people representing individuals and groups had expressed fears about Mr O'Reilly getting bail. There had been a meeting of 50 to 60 people. He believed their fears were well founded. The family of Ms Quinn had expressed concern about their two young children, who went to school in Newbridge.
In evidence, Mr O'Reilly said that if released on bail, he intended residing with an uncle. He was prepared to give an undertaking that he would not go near Milltown, Kildare or Newbridge and would not visit his parents' home.
Refusing bail, Mr Justice Barr said the circumstances which had given rise to the charge against the accused were horrific in nature. He accepted the superintendent's evidence that many people had expressed their fears to him and that the superintendent regarded those fears as being well founded in all the circumstances.
The superintendent had foreseen that there was a risk that, if Mr O'Reilly was granted bail, he might not stand trial. No acceptable security had been offered in relation to a bails person. The only one proposed was not acceptable to the Garda.
In the application by Mr Palmer, Sgt Tom O'Brien, Cashel, opposed bail. He told Mr Justice Barr that there was a fear that the applicant would interfere with State witnesses and would fail to return to face trial.
At about 7.45 p.m. on February 6th, three men wearing balaclavas had entered the Fanning house. Two had sawn off shotguns and one had a baseball bat. Mr Fanning was tied up in a chair, shot in the leg and bled to death. His family were tied up in a bedroom. After 20 minutes, they managed to telephone for help, but Mr Fanning was dead when an ambulance arrived.
Sgt O'Brien said other people were being sought in connection with the case.
Rejecting the application for bail, Mr Justice Barr said he accepted the evidence of the sergeant that there was a real risk that witnesses might be intimidated. He accepted that the sergeant's fear that Mr Palmer might not turn up for his trial was reasonable in all the circumstances.