Man accused of murdering former trade union official could face trial within weeks, court hears

The Central Criminal Court sitting at Waterford Courthouse on Monday. Stock picture

The case against a man accused of murdering former Waterford Crystal worker and trade union official Pat Fitzgerald could proceed to trial within the next three weeks, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

David Norris, aged 36, of Assumption Terrace, Rosbercon, New Ross, Co Wexford, appeared before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo at the Central Criminal Court sitting at Waterford Courthouse on Monday. The case was adjourned until next Tuesday.

The court heard that a pathologist's report is being undertaken and that, once available, the trial is expected to last about two weeks.

Mr Norris is charged with the murder of Mr Fitzgerald, a father of three who died in August 2025.

He was a former glass blower at Waterford Crystal, where he also served as a union convenor.

Mr Fitzgerald was also a former branch chairman of UNITE in 2009 when Waterford Crystal workers occupied the plant.

A father of three, he had been found unresponsive in a house in Waterford’s St Catherine’s Grange Housing Estate at around 2.20 pm on Friday, August 1, 2025.

He was taken to University Hospital Waterford for treatment but died two days later.