Neighbour charged with murder of father of five

A NEIGHBOUR of murdered father of five Thomas Farrell appeared in court yesterday charged with the fatal stabbing of the 43-year-old.

Darren Rogers, aged 20, of Elmdale Park in the Cherry Orchard area of west Dublin, made no comment during a brief appearance before Kilmainham District Court.

Mr Farrell died a few hours after he was stabbed in the back in the hallway of his Cherry Orchard View home, shortly after 8pm on Wednesday.

Detective Sergeant Denis Smith told the court that when Mr Rogers was formally charged with murder at 9.48pm on Thursday at Ballyfermot garda station, he replied: “I have nothing to say.”

Judge Patrick Brady ordered that Mr Rogers be remanded in custody for one week to appear before Clover Hill District Court on December 5.

The accused’s solicitor Terry Hanahoe said he had no objection to the remand and was making no application for bail at this stage. Mr Hanahoe said his client will be applying for legal aid as he is unemployed.

A number of people, believed to be friends and relatives of the accused, were in the courtroom for Mr Rogers’ appearance. The accused, wearing black trousers and a blue tracksuit top, said nothing during the court appearance.

Mr Rogers was driven to and from court by detectives from Ballyfermot station.

A second person, a male in his late teens arrested in connection with the death of Mr Farrell, was released without charge yesterday. A file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The family of 43-year-old Mr Farrell were last night preparing for his funeral. He is survived by his wife Gráinne and his five children, Ally, Jordan, Johnathon, Ashley and Heather.

Mr Farrell died in St James’s Hospital early on Thursday morning.