Man charged with manslaughter of his sister

A 25-YEAR-OLD man was last night charged with the manslaughter of his 31-year-old sister, a married mother of three, last week.

Robert O’Brien, of 6 St John’s Park, Castleisland, Co Kerry, was brought

before a special District Court sitting, in Kenmare, Co Kerry, on a charge of unlawfully killing Elizabeth McCarthy, at the Quay, Blennerville, Tralee, on September 28.

He was remanded in custody to Cork Prison by Judge Humphrey Kelleher and is due to appear at Tralee District Court tomorrow.

The accused and another man were arrested yesterday. The second man was released later last night without being charged and a file is being sent to the DPP.

Ms McCarthy’s body was found in the River Finglas, about two miles west of Tralee, last Wednesday by a man walking his dog.

She had attended a cousin’s wedding in Tralee the previous Monday and had been missing since Tuesday.

A member of the settled Traveller community, she lived at Cois Coille, Tralee, and is survived by her husband, Patrick, and children aged eight, six and two.

Dressed in a blue and grey rain jacket and blue pants, the accused covered his head with a hood as he entered and left Kenmare courthouse, escorted by up to eight gardaí.

Det Sgt John Brennan, Tralee, gave evidence of arresting him at New Road, Tralee, at 5.59pm, yesterday. The court heard when the charge was read to him, the accused said he had nothing to say in reply.

Supt Pat Sullivan asked for a remand in custody, saying he would object to bail because of the seriousness of the charge.

Solicitor for the accused Pat Mann said he would not be making a bail application at this time. O’Brien sat alone in the courtroom.