A JUDGE yesterday accused gardaí of behaving in an “appalling and outrageous fashion” to garner public support, and threatened to have a Garda inspector committed for contempt of court.
Judge John Neilan said he was satisfied there was only one reason why gardaí in Athlone had requested the remand of Noel Cawley to Tullamore District Court yesterday. The judge said he was absolutely satisfied the purpose of the “public relations exercise” was “to apply for and attract as many plaudits as possible”.
Mr Cawley (46), The Bree, Castleblayney, is charged with the murder of 83-year-old Christy Hanley in Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath, on May 22nd.
At a special sitting late last Wednesday, Insp Jarlath Folan of Athlone had requested that Mr Cawley be remanded to appear at Tullamore, despite a request from Mr Cawley’s solicitor and a suggestion from Judge Neilan that Cloverhill District Court would be more appropriate.
Insp Folan had said the book of evidence would be presented in Tullamore at yesterday’s sitting.
Judge Neilan yesterday criticised the use of taxpayers’ money to transport Mr Cawley unnecessarily from Cloverhill.
When he demanded to know why Insp Folan was not in court to explain why there was no book of evidence, he was told that he had been transferred to Mullingar.
Insp Paul Cuttle said he had taken over from Insp Folan since yesterday, and did not have any further detail on the case.
Judge Neilan later told Insp Cuttle, whom he had observed smiling at a colleague, that if he found something funny he would commit him for seven days for contempt of court.
Mr Cawley consented to being remanded beyond the statutory maximum of 15 days to Cloverhill Prison. He is to appear at Cloverhill District Court on July 30th.