Man reacts angrily to murder charge

A man accused of murder today reacted angrily to the charge being laid against him.

Philip Dorney, aged 24, of Nutley Avenue, Mahon, Cork, was charged at Cork District Court today with murdering Derek O’Connell at Blackrock Castle, Castle Road, Blackrock, Cork, on September 15 2002.

Detective Sergeant Declan O’Sullivan cautioned the accused that he did not have to say anything but that anything he might say would be taken down in writing and given in evidence.

Dorney replied, “Stick the charge up your hole. I don’t even know him, I never met the man in my life.”

On the application of Inspector Con Cadogan, Judge Uinsin MacGruairc remanded Dorney in custody for a week for preparation of documents.

Dorney has been in custody since last September awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions on a charge of intimidating an unnamed witness in a case thereby obstructing, perverting or interfering with the case.

The DPP has now decided that this intimidation charge should be dealt with by indictment.

The gardaí have consistently stated that this charge against Dorney was linked to the murder case. Solicitor, Frank Buttimer said it was not.

Martin O'Leary, aged 25, of no fixed address, who was charged last September with the murder of Derek O'Connell, aged 27, had the case against him adjourned for a fortnight for preparation of prosecution documents.