I was stitched up, claims man charged with double murder

A 22-YEAR-OLD man charged yesterday for last weekend’s double murder told the judge he was “stitched up”.

Gary Howard, from Dunsoghly Grove, Finglas, north Dublin, was brought before a special sitting of Dublin District Court under heavy armed guard.

He was charged with the murder of Brendan Molyneaux, 46, and Paddy Mooney, 58, at Pearse House flats complex, Pearse Street, in Dublin’s south inner city, last Sunday evening.

Heavily armed officers from the elite Emergency Response Unit stood guard at the entrance of the Criminal Court Complex near Hueston Station, while the foyer and the courtroom were packed with detectives and uniformed officers for the late-night sitting.

Howard, wearing a bullet-proof jacket, was brought into court escorted by two plain clothes gardaí, and smiled at relatives, who were present.

As he was taken before the judge, Howard managed to wriggle free and pulled down his trousers and shorts.

Showing his behind to the judge, he said: “Judge, spank that hairy ar**.”

He was taken into a partitioned area and sat down, flanked by the two gardaí, and sang the lyrics: “I shot the deputy, but I didn’t shoot the deputy.”

Detective inspector Michael Cryan of Pearse Street Garda Station told Judge Denis McLoughlin that when he charged the accused for the first murder earlier, he replied: “That’s a f***ing stitch up.”

On hearing this in the court, Howard interjected, saying: “That’s right judge.”

Det Insp Cryan then said that when he charged Howard for the second murder, the defendant said: “That’s another f***ing stitch up.”

Det Insp Cryan said he was applying for a remand in custody. Howard’s solicitor, Jenny McGeever said she was not entitled to seek an application for bail as it was a murder charge. Judge McLoughlin remanded Howard in custody to appear in Cloverhill District Court next Thursday.

He told Ms McGeever that he had read a report that she had submitted and directed that the defendant receive medical attention.

There was no objection to an application for free legal aid.

When the judge concluded the hearing and the court rose, Howard said: “I don’t recognise this court. I won’t stand up.” As he was being brought out, he pretended he was going to spit, then said: “I’m not going to spit. Relax. Chill out.”

He was brought from the court room and was taken from the complex to Cloverhill Prison in unmarked Garda jeeps.