A 31-year-old man was yesterday remanded in custody after he was charged with the murder of his brother during a party in Tralee in Co Kerry on New Year's Eve.
Albie Lonergan, from Quill Street, Tralee, was charged with the murder of his brother, Michael Lonergan (34), at Balloonagh Estate, Tralee on December 31st.
Michael Lonergan, from Balloonagh estate, died at Kerry General Hospital at about 10.30pm on December 31st after having been stabbed at his home just before 7pm.
Yesterday, at Killarney District Court, Det Sgt Fearghal Pattwell of Tralee gave evidence of how he arrested, charged and cautioned Albie Lonergan in relation to the murder.
He said he arrested Albie Lonergan at 7.11pm on January 1st at New Road Tralee and at 7.25pm, also at New Road, he charged him with the murder of his brother. Det Sgt Pattwell told Judge James O'Connor that Albie Lonergan replied "no comment" when the charge of murdering his brother was put to him after caution.
Insp Barry O'Rourke said that the State was seeking to have Mr Lonergan remanded in custody to appear again at Tralee District Court today.
Mr Lonergan's solicitor, Nuala Liston, said that she had no questions for the gardaí regarding her client's arrest and charging with the murder.
However she said that Mr Lonergan was single and unemployed and she applied for free legal aid for him which Judge O'Connor granted.
Judge O'Connor remanded Mr Lonergan in custody at Cork Prison on the murder charge to appear again at Tralee District Court today.
Dressed in a black shirt with a diamond pattern, white T-shirt and black jeans and with his right hand in plaster, Mr Lonergan arrived at Killarney courthouse at about 10.30am.
He was escorted in by a number of plainclothes gardaí and sat on the Garda bench at the side of the courtroom, speaking occasionally to his solicitor, Ms Liston, before the court began.
He remained standing during the three-minute hearing as Det Sgt Pattwell gave evidence of arresting, charging and cautioning him.
Afterwards, he was promptly escorted from the courthouse through a small crowd who had gathered outside and shouted abuse to him and brought to a waiting Garda car.
Meanwhile the remains of Mr Lonergan's brother, Michael, will be removed to St John's Church in Tralee tonight at 7pm.
Michael Lonergan, who is survived by his wife, Yvonne and five children, will be buried at Old Rath Cemetery in Tralee following requiem Mass at 12.30pm tomorrow.
