Accused in chess death replied ‘I am guilty’

A 34-year-old Italian man replied “I am guilty” when he was charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of a well known pro-life campaigner and religious writer at his Dublin home.

The body of Tom O’Gorman, aged 39, from Beech Park Avenue, Castleknock, was found after gardaí were called to his large detached home at about 1.50am on Sunday.

He was pronounced dead at the scene and an autopsy was later carried out by Marie Cassidy. Saverio Bellante, who had been lodging with Mr O’Gorman, was detained by gardaí under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and yesterday morning he was brought to appear before Judge David McHugh at Blanchardstown District Court.

Mr Bellante is charged with murder at Beech Park Avenue, Castleknock between Jan 11 and 12.

Wearing a black sweater and trousers and grey runners, he told the court he wanted to represent himself.

Detective Garda Patrick Traynor told the court that he arrested Mr Bellante to charge him at 11.33pm on Sunday at Blanchardstown Garda Station.

Mr Bellante, who is from Palermo in Sicily, replied “I am guilty” after he was charged, the detective said.

Judge McHugh noted Mr Bellante had no solicitor representing him in court and said he would let the case stand in the list for him to be informed of his rights.

However, a garda told then the judge this had been discussed and “he’s happy to represent himself”.

“She questioned me if I wanted to represent myself and the answer is yes,” Mr Bellante told the court.

Judge McHugh remanded Mr Bellante in custody to appear in Cloverhill District Court on Jan 17. He also said Mr Bellante would be medically assessed.

Mr O’Gorman was a pro-life advocate and former journalist with the Catholic newspaper The Voice Today. Recently he been a researcher for the Dublin- based Catholic lobby group the Iona Institute.