Enniscorthy man on murder charge
Michael Furlong (left) leaving Gorey District Court last week in garda custody.
ACCUSED Michael Furlong was not called upon to speak at the courthouse in Gorey as he stood accused of murdering his former friend Patrick Connors at a block of flats in The Shannon last year.
Formal evidence of arresting the accused, with an address at Apartment 5, Meadowfield, The Moyne, Enniscorthy was given under oath by Garda Sergeant Paul Mccarthy. The sergeant told the District Court that the 35-year-old was arrested at 6.30 p.m. the previous evening.
The defendant was brought from The Moyne to Enniscorthy Garda station where he said 'no reply' when the charge of murder at Carraig Túr was put to him. The sergeant clarified that the alleged offence occurred on either April 28 or 29 last year.
Garda Inspector Pat Cody applied to have Furlong remanded in custody to Cloverhill District Court. Defending solicitor John O'leary suggested that the adjournment should be until January 26 but Judge Gerard Haughton pointed out that this was too long.
It was agreed between prosecution and defence that the remand should be until Tuesday, January 24, ( today) at Cloverhill. Mr. O'leary applied for free legal aid to assist the unemployed accused and Sergeant Mccarthy had no objection to this being granted.
As the legalities were gone through, Furlong sat in the front row of the public benches wearing a dark jacket. Members of the Connors family were among those present in the courthouse.
Also in attendance was the defendant's father, who was allowed to follow his son after he was led away to the cells.
The charge sheet carried the allegation that Michael Furlong 'at apartments known as Carraig Túr, Enniscorthy, Wexford in said District Court area of Gorey, did murder one Patrick Connors contrary to common law.'
