Book of evidence served on 73-year-old accused of 1981 Cork murder

Noel Long, who is charged with killing 54-year-old Nora Sheehan, on continuing bail as he awaits trial

Noel Long at Skibbereen District Court has been charged with the murder of Nora Sheehan in 1981. Picture: Cork Courts Limited

A book of evidence has been served on a 73-year-old man charged with the murder of a 54-year-old woman in 1981.

Noel Long, with an address at Maulbawn, Passage West, Co Cork, appeared before Judge James McNulty at a sitting of Skibbereen District Court on Tuesday afternoon where the book of evidence was served on him by Detective Garda David Barrett in the presence of his solicitor Eddie Burke.

Mr Long is charged with the alleged murder of 54-year-old Nora Sheehan at an address unknown on a date between June 6 and June 12, 1981.

Solicitor for the DPP, Geraldine Wycherley, requested a minor amendment to the charge to read that the alleged offence took place “within the State”.

Judge McNulty directed that Mr Long be sent forward for trial at the Central Criminal Court during its current sitting and warned Mr Long that he must notify the prosecution within 14 days if he intended to rely on an alibi as part of his defence.

The court heard that Mr Long had been released on bail at the direction of the High Court on July 7 on a surety of €10,000 and Judge McNulty instructed that bail would continue under the same conditions on Mr Long’s own €1,000 bond and an independent surety of €1,000 that was also provided.

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke also requested that his client’s legal aid be extended.

The body of Nora Sheehan was found by forestry workers at The Viewing Point, Shippool Woods near Innishannon, Co Cork, on June 12, 1981, with signs that she had suffered a violent death.

The mother of three from Ballyphehane in Cork city was last seen alive six days before the discovery of her body when she attended a medical appointment for a dog bite at the South Infirmary Hospital in the city.