Dundon 'refused to dress himself' for Supreme Court hearing

Judges have been told hunger-strike prisoner John Dundon refused to dress before attending court wearing nothing but shorts last Tuesday.

The Governor of Portlaoise Prison Ultan Moran has given evidence at the Special Criminal Court which contradicts the defence’s claims that the murder accused had only been offered prison clothes prior to his court appearance.

John Dundon was fully dressed in jeans, boots and a white T-shirt in court today – quite the contrast from last Tuesday when he turned up half-naked in a pair of shorts.

The hunger strike prisoner had been put on a drip in hospital the day before - his lawyers said he was later brought back to a different cell and was not given access to his own clothes.

But Portlaoise Prison governor Ultan Moran told the court today that the 30-year-old had been given his own clothes but had refused to put them on before getting in the prison van.

The 30-year-old of Hyde Road, Limerick, is accused of the murder of Garryowen rugby player Shane Geoghegan who was shot in a case of mistaken identity in 2008.

His trial was due to start today but it has been put back until July 2 to allow the Supreme Court hear an appeal by the defence aimed at delaying the trial until next year.