Dundon charged with murder of Shane Geoghegan

A Limerick man yesterday appeared before the Special Criminal Court charged with the murder of Shane Geoghegan four years ago.

John Dundon, aged 29, with a last address at Hyde Rd, Limerick, was charged with the murder of the 28-year-old Garryowen rugby player at Clonmore, Kilteragh, Dooradoyle, Limerick, on Nov 9, 2008.

State solicitor Michael O’Donovan told the court the Director of Public Prosecutions had certified that the ordinary courts were inadequate to secure the administration of justice and submitted the matter should be heard by the non-jury Special Criminal Court.

Det Gda Pauraic O’Dwyer, of Roxboro Rd Garda Station, told Mr O’Donovan he met Mr Dundon in the precincts of the court yesterday morning and informed him he was to be charged with murder.

The detective said he explained the charge in ordinary language to Mr Dundon. Det Gda O’Dwyer said Mr Dundon made no reply.

Mr O’Donovan asked that the accused be remanded in custody for six weeks to facilitate the preparation of a book of evidence.

Lawyers for Mr Dundon asked the court for legal aid in the case but said no statement of means had been prepared.

Presiding judge Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne, sitting with Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan and Judge William Hamill, said that the court could not grant legal aid until a statement of means had been filed and would therefore deal with the application on the next occasion.

She remanded the accused man in custody to appear before the three-judge court again on Oct 2.

There was a heavy security presence in court for the brief hearing, with many investigating gardaí from Limerick having travelled to Dublin for the Special Criminal Court appearance.