A 35-YEAR-OLD man and a teenage boy have been remanded in custody charged with the manslaughter of a schoolteacher, John Kenny, in his pub in Oughterard, Co Galway, last September.
Marian Lingurar, of Orchard Court, Blackpool, Cork, but originally from Romania and the teenager were arrested in Cork on Thursday night and brought before a special sitting of Galway District Court yesterday.
Both men were charged with the manslaughter of Mr Kenny at his pub on Main Street, Oughterard, on September 25th last year.
They were further charged with withholding information from the Garda investigation into the killing.
Det Sgt Tom Molloy gave evidence in court yesterday of arresting Mr Lingurar in Cork and charging him yesterday morning at Galway Garda station with the manslaughter of Mr Kenny (56) and with withholding information in relation to the Garda investigation. Det Molloy said Mr Lingurar replied, “I don’t know anything about that,” when the first charge was put to him, and then replied, “I don’t know anything. You do not have any proof that I did it,” to the second charge.
Garda Fergal Kilbane gave evidence of arresting the juvenile at a different address in Cork.
He said the teenager replied, “I didn’t kill anyone,” when charged with Mr Kenny’s manslaughter.
He replied, “I told you the truth,” when the second charge was put to him.
Gardaí objected to bail on grounds that both accused posed flight risks as they have no ties to this country and due to the seriousness of the charges.
Supt Noel Kelly said a book of evidence would have to be prepared and it would be a substantial file.
Judge John Lindsay refused bail and he remanded the juvenile in custody to St Patrick’s Institution to appear before Galway District Court next Wednesday.
He remanded Mr Lingurar in custody to Castlerea Prison to appear before Harristown District Court on Friday, February 10th next.
Free legal aid was granted to both.
The body of Mr Kenny, who was a teacher at Presentation College Athenry, was found on Sunday afternoon, September 25th, on the floor of a room in his pub.
His hands were tied behind his back.
It is believed he died some time late on Saturday night or early on Sunday morning.
A postmortem by State Pathologist Prof Marie Cassidy showed his death was the result of an assault.