Polish murders trial delayed four more weeks

A Dublin youth charged with the murders of Polish men Pawel Kalite and Marius Szwajkos will have to wait another four weeks before he is sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court.

Mr Kalite (aged 29) and his friend Marius Szwajkos (aged 27) died after they were attacked on Benbulben Road, in Drimnagh, in Dublin a short distance from where they lived, on February 23 last.

Mr Szwajkos died from his injuries in St James’ Hospital two days later. Mr Kalite died at the same hospital in the early hours of February 28.

The youth, then aged 17, had first been charged in March at the Dublin Children’s Court with the murder of Pawel Kalite.

Following his first court appearance he had been remanded in custody, but was subsequently granted bail by the High Court.

However, last week he was further charged with the murder of Marius Szwajkos. The teenager, who made no reply when charged, was then remanded to St Patrick’s Institution but was released on conditional High Court bail earlier this week.

Since the second murder charge was put to him he has turned 18 years and is no longer a juvenile and so can be named.

He is David Curran, from Lissadel Green, in Drimnagh, Dublin 12. He remained silent during the brief proceedings today.

Judge Patrick McMahon consented to an application by State’s solicitor Majella Raftery to grant further time for completion of the book of evidence in the case which is to be sent forward to the Central Criminal Court.

He remanded the teenage defendant, who was accompanied to court by his father and an aunt, on bail to appear again in the Children’s Court on July 17 next when the book of evidence is to be served on him.

Earlier the court had been told that "a hefty book of evidence is being prepared, with over 200 statements and CCTV evidence as well”.

Bail has been fixed on a cash lodgement of €4,000.

The High Court has imposed conditions on the teenager banning him from having contact with any witnesses or potential witness.

He must sign on daily at a garda station, be subject to a curfew from 10pm to 7am, not seek to obtain a passport or any travel documents, and not to consume drink and drugs.

On Tuesday last, a second Dublin youth was brought to court in connection with the killings.

Sean Keogh, aged 19, from Vincent Street West, Inchicore was charged at Dublin District Court with the murders of Szwajkos and Kalite. He was also charged with an arson attack on a motorbike.

He was remanded in custody to St Patrick’s Institute and is due to appear at Dublin District Court again next Tuesday.