A 27-YEAR-OLD man charged in connection with the shooting of a teenager at a halting site was remanded in custody at Waterford District Court last night.
Patrick Stokes (27), of Ardmore Park in Ballybeg, was charged with assault causing harm in Waterford city on Monday evening.
He was also charged with firearm offences.
Bridget Delaney (16) was shot at a halting site in Bilberry at about 10.35pm on Monday.
She was taken to Waterford Regional Hospital where she underwent surgery and is now recovering.
Mr Stokes was charged with breaching section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act (1997) and section 27b of the Firearms Act (1964).
He was arrested on Wednesday afternoon and detained at the Garda station in Ballybricken for questioning.
Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Det Garda Michael Burke said Mr Stokes told him, “I don’t know why I’m getting charged for something I didn’t do”, when informed of one of the charges.
In relation to the other charge, Mr Stokes allegedly replied: “That’s not me.”
Judge William Earley granted free legal aid to the accused, who is unemployed.
Mr Stokes, who appeared in court yesterday in a grey hooded top with blue stripes, navy tracksuit bottoms and blue T-shirt, will appear at the court again on Thursday.
Several members of the Stokes family were also present in court for the hearing.
