A judge has asked the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to make progress in the case of a Dublin man charged with the murder of Kenneth O'Brien, whose dismembered body was found in a suitcase in a canal.
Paul Wells (48) from Barnamore Park in Finglas is accused of the murder of O'Brien in January. His next hearing will be on June 22nd at Cloverhill District Court. Judge Victor Blake said he hoped for progress in obtaining formal directions from the DPP.
The court heard the case file is with the DPP as of Wednesday morning and it contains 13 volumes.
Mr Wells, wearing a grey hoody and grey tracksuit bottoms, would not consent to appearing via video link at his next hearing.
‘’As I said I’ll start my clock running, it’s step one of three, I’m hoping for progress on that day,” the judge told Garda Sgt Gerard Moore. Mr O’Brien’s partner and a large number of friends and family were there for the appearance.
Father-of-one Kenneth O'Brien (33) from Lealand Road in Clondalkin in Dublin was reported missing on January 15th last. The following day his torso was found in suitcase by walkers at the Grand Canal near Cellbridge in Co Kildare. Investigating gardai carried out a search operation resulting in other body parts being found in bags in the canal. DNA tests confirmed the remains were those of Mr O'Brien.
In February, Paul Wells was charged with the murder of Kenneth O’Brien . He faced his seventh hearing on Wednesday.