Homeless man charged over violent death in Wicklow
Thomas O’Connor, aged 22, was brought yesterday before a special sitting of Bray District Court.
He had been arrested on Saturday by gardaí investigating the violent death of John O’Brien, whose body was found overnight on Friday.
Mr O’Brien, aged 22, from Delgany, County Wicklow, was found lying face down on the Farrankelly Road near Greystones by gardaí just after midnight on Friday.
He was pronounced dead at the scene by a local doctor.
Mr O’Connor was arrested by gardaí on Saturday afternoon and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Bray Garda Station.
He was held until being taken yesterday before a special sitting of Bray District Court.
Mr O’Connor was charged with recklessly or intentionally assaulting Mr O’Brien causing serious harm on June 4.
The court heard Mr O’Connor, dressed in grey tracksuit bottoms and a grey and white striped hoodie, was originally from Greystones but was of no fixed abode.
Detective Sergeant Eamon O’Reilly of Bray Garda Station said gardaí were objecting to the granting of bail because of the seriousness of the charge and the prospect that more serious charges would follow.
He said they considered the defendant to be a flight risk as he was of no fixed abode.
As it turned out, Mr O’Connor did not make a formal application for bail.
He was remanded in custody to appear in court again next Monday.
