Murder accused remanded in custody for further month

A man charged with the murder of a mother of three in Cork last February has been remanded in custody for another month for service of the book of evidence.

Darren Murphy, aged 36, of Dan Desmond Villas, Passage West, Co Cork, who was subsequently charged with arson, appeared before Cork District Court yesterday by video link from prison.

Mr Murphy was charged last February with the murder of Olivia Dunlea O’Brien, aged 36, at Pembroke Crescent, Passage West, on Feb 17.

Ms Dunlea O’Brien’s body was found in an upstairs bedroom of her semi-detached house at around 6am that day after firefighters brought a fire at the house under control.

A file was sent to the DPP following which Mr Murphy was charged in July with arson — that he did, without lawful excuse, damage property by fire, namely 26 Pembroke Crescent, Passage West, a residential house belonging to another with the intention of damaging such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged.

Gardaí told Judge Aingeal Ní Chondúin yesterday that following the arson charge, they needed more time to prepare the book of evidence.

Defence solicitor Emmet Boyle said his client has been remanded on bail in relation to the criminal damage charge, before he consented to the continuing remand of his client in custody in relation to the more serious charge.

Judge Ní Chondúin remanded the accused in continuing custody to appear again on Sept 18.