A 36-YEAR-OLD single man was charged last night with the murder of the Bundoran teenager Alison White. Mr Patrick Michael Granaghan, of Drumacrin Terrace, Bundoran, was charged at a special sitting of Donegal District Court.
Sgt Michael Flynn, the arresting officer from Ballyshannon Garda Station, told the court he arrested Mr Granaghan at 11.15 pm. on Sunday night on suspicion of the murder of Alison White (13).
Mr Granaghan was detained at Ballyshannon Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act. Sgt Flynn said he charged Mr Granaghan with murder at 4.55 p.m. yesterday. He told the court Mr Granaghan's initial period of detention had been extended.
Sgt Flynn told the court when he cautioned Mr Granaghan that anything he said could be used in evidence, Mr Granaghan replied that he had nothing to say.
Supt Michael Duffy, who is leading the investigation, requested Mr Granaghan's remand. Judge Liam McMenamin remanded Mr Granaghan in custody to appear before Ballyshannon District Court on Friday, April 19th.
The judge said he could not consider any application for bail, in view of the charge.
Mr Granaghan was silent throughout the proceedings. Wearing a grey sweatshirt with a button collar, black sweat suit trousers and new-looking trainers, he sat with his shoulders slumped.
Mr Granaghan's counsel, the Ballyshannon solicitor Mr Brian McMullin, told the court he could have a possible conflict of interest in representing Mr Granaghan but he would represent him for yesterday's hearing.
Outside the court, a large crowd of people, including schoolchildren, gathered. They watched in silence as Mr Granaghan was put in a Garda van. He will be remanded in Mountjoy Prison until his next court appearance on Friday.
