Man charged with murder of his father on Waterford family farm

John Cashman Jr, age 45, was charged with murdering his 73-year-old father, John Cashman Sr, on their farm in Dungarvan on April 13

John Cashman Sr of Rockfield House, Cappagh. Mr Cashman Sr was found injured and unresponsive on their farm in Dungarvan on April 13 and pronounced dead at the scene.

A man has been charged with the murder of his father on the family farm in Waterford.

John Cashman Jr, age 45, was originally charged with assault causing harm to his 73-year-old father, John Cashman Sr, on their farm in Cappagh, Dungarvan, on April 13.

Today in Dungarvan District Court, that assault charge was struck out, and he was charged with his father’s murder.

Detective Garda Martin Keohane of Dungarvan Garda Station said that he arrested and charged Mr Cashman Jr today.

Mr Cashman Jr said ‘no comment’ following his charge under caution, the court heard.

Court presenter Sergeant Alan Hayes requested an adjournment of the case.

Judge John O’Leary remanded Mr Cashman Jr in custody to appear next before Clonmel District Court tomorrow via video link.

There is no jurisdiction to grant bail at the district court level on a murder charge, Judge O’Leary noted.

Mr Cashman Jr has recently changed his defence solicitor, the court heard.

Judge O’Leary asked if he would require legal aid.

Mr Cashman Jr said that he would need to discuss that with his family.

Judge O’Leary said that he would reserve the question of legal aid and that there were current complications with it due to the ongoing solicitors' strike.

Mr Cashman asked if he would remain in Cork prison while on remand.

Judge O’Leary said that this was a matter for the Department of Justice, and the court had no power to direct where someone was sent to prison.

Sgt Hayes assured Mr Cashman Jr that a video link is available at Cork prison.

Although no video link was operational in Dungarvan courthouse, there is a video link in Clonmel courthouse, he said.

Emergency services had been called to the Cashman family farm at Rockfield House, Cappagh, about 6km northwest of Dungarvan on April 13.

Mr Cashman Sr was found injured and unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene by a local doctor.

The deceased was a well-known farmer who ran as an Independent candidate for Waterford County Council several years ago.

His son, Mr Cashman Jr, moved back from the UK in 2021 and had been living in an apartment on the family farm in Rockfield for which he paid rent, the court previously heard. He established a business restoring vintage farm machinery there.