A 16-year-old boy charged with the manslaughter of a secondary school student has been remanded on bail until Tuesday.
The accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Judge Mary Devins, at a special District Court sitting in Castlebar.
The non-Irish national was accompanied by his mother at the hearing which lasted about 40 minutes.
Detective Sergeant James Carroll said he arrested the accused at Mount Street, Claremorris, Co Mayo. He charged him at a local Garda station with the unlawful killing of Dovydas Jenkas (17), at Claremount Estate, Claremorris, in the early hours of Saturday morning. The teenager made no reply when the charge was read to him.
Supt Michael Cryan said the application of the State was for a remand in custody at Oberstown House to Ballina District Court on Tuesday. Gardaí objected to bail because of the seriousness of the charge and the fact that the accused posed “a significant flight risk”, Det Sgt Carroll said.
Solicitor for the accused Evan O’Dwyer said he had been in custody for 24 hours, had conducted five interviews, and had co-operated by answering all the questions put to him “in a frank and forthright way”.
The solicitor said the accused was a school pupil and was variously described by his teachers in school reports as well mannered and an exceptional student, especially in metalwork and woodwork.
After being sworn in to give evidence the accused agreed with Mr O’Dwyer that “something horrible had happened”.
He said he was “very sorry for what happened”. If granted bail, the accused said he would not leave the country .
Speaking through an interpreter, the boy’s mother said she was divorced from his father for the past 13 years. She said she trusted her son to stay here until the case was finished.
The judge remanded the accused on bail until Tuesday to Ballina District Court on a number of conditions, that he continue to reside with his mother until the court sitting and observe a 24-hour curfew during that time.
The judge also ordered the surrender of his passport.
The judge said on Tuesday she will revisit the terms of the bail, in particular the question of a considerable cash lodgement by the accused’s mother. Mr O’Dwyer indicated he was seeking legal aid on behalf of the accused.