Third man charged over death of Portugese man

A THIRD man appeared in court yesterday on a charge relating to the death of 45-year-old Portuguese national Sergio Abreu, whose battered body was found in a field at Whiting Bay near Ardmore, Co Waterford last Saturday.

Stuart James Spicer, 27, with an address at Grattan Buildings, Youghal, Co Cork but stated to be a native of Hampshire in England, made a brief appearance before Judge David Riordan at Tallow District Court, charged with assault causing harm to Mr Abreu.

Spicer was arrested by gardaí in Wexford on Thursday and taken to Midleton garda station where he was detained overnight before his appearance yesterday.

At the same court, two other accused, Graeme Turnbull, 35, and Stephen Job, 30, members of a New Age Traveller encampment at Whiting Bay, made a second appearance on the same charge.

The two men had been remanded in custody at Youghal District Court last Sunday evening.

Superintendent Liam Hayes of Midleton applied for a further remand to Youghal on September 26 for Turnbull and Job, who have both been granted free legal aid.

Supt Hayes said the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that the charge against the men be tried on indictment.

Neither of the accused spoke during the brief hearing and there were no objections to the remand applications.

Spicer’s solicitor, Ken Murray, successfully made an application for free legal aid for his client, who told Judge Riordan that he has no assets and lives solely on disability benefit.

Spicer was remanded in custody to appear at Cashel District Court next Wednesday, September 18.

All three were returned to Cork prison.