Dublin woman (25) charged over gun murder

Laura Dempsey allegedly shot Kieran Farrelly in north inner city last year

The body of Kieran Farrelly is  removed from the scene  at Killarney Court flats off Buckingham Street, Dublin. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
The body of Kieran Farrelly is removed from the scene at Killarney Court flats off Buckingham Street, Dublin. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins

A 25-year-old woman charged with murder told gardaí she did not kill a man who was shot in Dublin city-centre last year, a court has heard.

Kieran Farrelly, from Tallaght, died following a gun attack at Killarney Court, an apartment complex off Killarney Street in north inner city Dublin on the night of October 26th last year.

The 33-year-old man was shot in the head and upper body in front of his girlfriend.

Laura Dempsey, who is of no fixed address, was arrested at Bolton Street in central Dublin on Wednesday morning. She was then brought to Mountjoy Garda station where she was charged with the murder of Mr Farrelly.

READ MORE

The young woman, dressed in a black leather jacket, white top, black leggings and blue runners, was then kept in garda custody and brought to appear before Judge Patrick Clyne at Dublin District Court.

She sat silently in court as Det Garda Kevin Keys gave evidence of her arrest. He told Judge Clyne that after the murder charge was put to Ms Dempsey, she replied: “I did not kill Kieran Farrelly”.

Due to nature of the charge, the district court cannot grant bail and Det Gda Keys asked for her to be remanded in custody for one week.

Judge Clyne granted free legal aid and acceded to defence solicitor Alan Doyle’s request to ask that Ms Dempsey would get medical attention in prison. He then remanded her in custody to appear again at Dublin District Court on October 28th next.

A book of evidence has yet to be prepared and she will have to bring an application to the High Court to get released pending trial.

Two other people, a man and a woman, had been questioned previously and were released without charge pending a file to the DPP.