A 40-YEAR-OLD man who appeared in court over the weekend charged with false imprisonment is to appear before the Cork District Court again tomorrow.
Philip Murphy, Killala Gardens, Knocknaheeny, Cork, denied suggestions made by gardaí at a special sitting of the court on Saturday that he was the head of a gang involved in a feud with another group on the northside of the city.
Det Garda Matthew Walsh said in evidence that the charge of false imprisonment was related to an incident on Harbour View Road in Knocknaheeny in Cork city on May 13th last. On that occasion two teenagers lost their lives in a road crash.
CJ Dolan (16), Hollywood Estate, Blarney Road, Cork, was pronounced dead after the two-car collision, while Derry O’Callaghan (19), Killala Gardens, Knocknaheeny, Cork, died at Cork University Hospital on Friday morning.
Det Garda Walsh gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution, which took place in the early hours of Saturday morning. He said Mr Murphy made no reply after he was charged in relation to the offence of false imprisonment of a man on May 13th last contrary to section 15 of the Non Fatal Offences against the Person Act.
Det Garda Walsh objected to the granting of bail, telling Judge Brian Sheridan that he was concerned that Mr Murphy would interfere with witnesses in the case.
He described the charge as a “serious offence” and said Mr Murphy was a leader of a gang involved in a feud with another faction.
The court heard Mr Murphy resided close to the injured party in the case, who was not named in court.
Garda Walsh said tensions were “very high” in Knocknaheeny and that, following risk analysis, there were additional patrols in the area. Judge Brian Sheridan was told Mr Murphy presented a flight risk as he previously had three bench warrants served on him.
Joe Cuddigan, solicitor for Mr Murphy, said that the bench warrants related to a cluster period in 2005. He said his client was willing to obey any curfews imposed on him.
Mr Murphy stated in evidence that he had no difficulty in surrendering his passport if required to do so by order of the courts.
He denied suggestions by gardaí that he was a member of a gang. He insisted he wasn’t a member of any “organised criminal gang” and rejected claims that he would interfere with witnesses in the case. He told the court the feud had been ongoing for two years and did not involve him.
Judge Brian Sheridan refused bail in the case and Mr Murphy was remanded in custody. He will appear before Cork District Court again tomorrow.