Accused says sorry for murder of brother
Declan Ó Cualáin (Folan) appeared at a special sitting of Galway District Court after he had been charged at Galway Garda Station.
Detective Sergeant Paudie O’Shea of Salthill station told the court he had arrested and charged Ó Cualáin at 6.55pm yesterday.
The 40-year-old, who is single and from Cuilean, Carraroe, Co Galway, is charged with murdering Adrian Ó Cualáin at Lislorkin North, Liscannor, Co Clare, on July 4.
In reply to the charge, he replied: “I am guilty of the offence. I am sorry for putting everyone through this.”
Det Sgt O’Shea told Judge Mary Fahy that Declan Ó Cualáin had signed an acknowledgement of his reply to the charge.
Inspector Derek Gannon applied to have the accused remanded in custody and Judge Fahy noted that, as the charge was one of murder, no application for bail could be made to her court.
She remanded Ó Cualáin in custody to Harristown District Court on Friday.
Adrian MacLynn, defending, applied for legal aid and handed a statement of means of his client into court. Judge Fahy noted that he was unemployed and on a back-to-work scheme. Legal aid was granted.
Mr MacLynn advised the court that his client was also on medication and asked the judge to add a request for medical attention to her remand order. Judge Fahy said he would be seen by a GP who would decide if he needed medication.
The body of 41-year-old Adrian Ó Cualáin was discovered by gardaí on Monday morning at a quarry in Liscannor. It had been placed under a makeshift mound of rocks.
A post-mortem is understood to have concluded he died from strangulation.
Concern had been raised for the safety of Adrian Ó Cualáin when he was reported missing last Thursday.
His family yesterday appealed for privacy.
