TWO Galway City men were charged with the manslaughter of a Tipperary man at a special sitting of Galway District Court last night.
Mr Jimmy Mongan (18) of Hillside Park, Ballybane, and Mr Gerry Barry (17) of St James Crescent, Mervue, were charged with the unlawful killing of Mr Colm Phelan (26) at Eyre Square on July 21st, 1996.
Mr Phelan, a single man from Main Street in Roscrea, was at a stag party in Galway with friends from Roscrea when a row broke out in the city centre at about 2 a.m.
Mr Phelan collapsed during the row and died shortly afterwards.
A post mortem examination revealed he had died from a brain haemorrhage resulting from a blow to the neck with a blunt instrument.
Mr Barry was further charged at last night's court hearing with committing violent disorder on the same occasion in that he along with Mr Mongan and two others, had used or threatened to use unlawful violence causing people to fear for their safety.
Mr Mongan has appeared at a previous sitting of Galway District Court on the same charge.
Insp Pat Forde made an application to the court to remand Mr Mongan in custody to St Patrick's Institution to appear at Galway District Court on Wednesday.
Insp Forde opposed bait for Mr Mongan and Det Dillon told the court that he believed the defendant would interfere with witnesses if granted bail. Mr Mongan had already asked him why they were not being charged.
Defending solicitor, Mr Sean O'Carroll (for Mr Mongan), told the court that his client was charged with another serious offence under the Public Order Act on the same night in July.
His client had appeared at Galway District Court on that charge but the court had objected to bail on the grounds that he would abscond or interfere with witnesses. After appealing this to the High Court, bail was granted on September 16th. A book of evidence is now awaited in relation to this offence.
Judge John Garavan remanded, Mr Mongan and Mr Barry in custody to St Patrick's Institution to appear before Galway District Court next Wednesday.