Man appears in court charged with murder of 59-year-old man in Mayo

A 31-year-old-man has appeared before Castlebar District Court charged with the murder of a Mayo man in Ballina.

Liam O’Leary, of no fixed abode, was brought before Judge Fiona Lydon charged with the murder of John Casserly in Ballina, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.

John Casserly (59) was found dead in an apartment on Tone Street on Wednesday evening after suffering multiple stab wounds.

Mr O’Leary was brought in to the courtroom escorted by a number of gardaí shortly before 4pm this afternoon.

Detective Sergeant Hugh O’Donnell told Judge Lydon that he arrested the accused in Ballina Garda Station this afternoon at 1.56pm and charged him with murder. Mr O’Leary made no reply after he was given the caution, he said.

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Det Sgt O’Donnell explained that the State were applying for the accused man to be remanded in custody to appear before Harristown District Court on November 1 next.

There was no application for bail and Mr Gary Mulchrone, solicitor for Mr O’Leary, asked Judge Lydon to direct for his client to be given appropriate medical treatment, including psychiatric care, while in custody.

He explained his client is currently on social welfare and requested that legal aid be extended to include an independent psychiatric evaluation of his client.

Judge Lydon remanded Mr O’Leary in custody to appeal via video link before Harristown District Court on November 1 and also directed he receive medical attention including psychiatric attention if deemed necessary.

She also granted legal aid to include a certificate for psychiatric reports.

Mr O’Leary, who was wearing a grey hood and navy tracksuit trousers, did not speak during the brief hearing before he was led away from the courtroom into custody.

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