File against accused delayed for documents

Completion of the file in the case against a 36-year-old man charged with the murder of a mother of three in Passage West has been delayed to allow for the inclusion of documents related to his previous medical history.

Darren Murphy, of Dan Desmond Villas, Passage West, Co Cork, appeared at Cork District Court by video link from prison yesterday.

He is charged with the murder of Olivia Dunlea O’Brien, aged 36, at Pembroke Crescent, Passage West, on Feb 17.

Ms Dunlea O’Brien’s body was found in an upstairs bedroom of her semi-detached house at about 6am on that date by firefighters after they spent several hours bringing a fire at the house under control.

Defence solicitor Emmet Boyle said “the superintendent [leading the investigation] requires medical notes from the defendant’s previous medical history.

“The state file is not going to go to the Director of Public Prosecutions until those notes are available, to give a more balanced picture to the director.”

Insp Finbarr O’Sullivan confirmed that this was the position.

He applied for a remand in custody for four weeks for completion of the book of evidence and to get the directions of the DPP.

Judge Leo Malone remanded the defendant in custody until May 2.

Judge Malone previously directed the prison services to carry out a psychiatric examination of Mr Murphy after defence solicitor, Emmet Boyle said he had certain concerns about his client’s wellbeing.

Ms Dunlea O’Brien was originally from Victoria Avenue in Ballinlough.