Gardaí given time for Holohan case

GARDAÍ have been given more time to prepare a Book of Evidence in the case of an engineering student charged with the manslaughter of an 11-year-old boy, because they are still awaiting the full results of forensic tests.

Cork Institute of Technology student Wayne O’Donoghue appeared in court for the fifth time yesterday on the charge of unlawfully killing Robert Holohan from Midleton, Co Cork on January 4 last.

O’Donoghue, a next door neighbour of the boy, arrived at Midleton Garda Station at 10.12am yesterday and 20 minutes later appeared in the adjoining district court.

Dressed in the same suede jacket and navy suit that he had worn at previous appearances, O’Donoghue sat with head bowed throughout the brief hearing.

Inspector Martin Dorney sought an adjournment of the case and an extension of the time the gardaí had to serve the Book of Evidence because they were “waiting on results of forensic examinations”.

A previous hearing had been told gardaí also had to complete 2,000 interviews and this was taking time.

Judge Michael Pattwell asked O’Donoghue’s solicitor, Frank Buttimer, if he had any objection to an adjournment and an extension of time for serving the Book of Evidence.

Mr Buttimer replied he was not raising any objections.

Judge Pattwell then consulted his diary, looking for a suitable date and court sitting. He then decided to remand O’Donoghue in continuing custody to appear in Mitchelstown District Court at 10.30am on Friday, April 1.