Murder accused in gun attack case unable to attend court

A neighbour charged with murder and attempted murder of a 66-year-old woman and her daughter following a gun attack at a family home in Tallaght in Dublin was unable to attend a court hearing today.

Grandmother Mary Dargan died from a shotgun blast to the head after she encountered a man entering the back of her house at the Killinarden Estate at about 4pm on Saturday last.

Her 34-year-old daughter, Karina Dargan, who also lives in the house, suffered injuries to her face. She was taken to Tallaght Hospital but was later released.

Several of the late Ms Dargan’s grandchildren, including a four-year-old girl, had been in the house at the time.

Two days later, a neighbour, 58-year-old James Redmond, appeared before a court in Dublin charged with murder and attempted murder.

He had been remanded in custody with an order made that he was to be psychologically assessed and had been due to appear at Cloverhill District Court today.

However, a sick warrant was furnished to the court today and Judge Grainne Malone further adjourned the case in his absence until April 2nd next.

Last Saturday, gardaí arrived at the Dargans’ house and arrested the man who had been restrained at the scene and he was later treated in St James’s Hospital for minor injuries.

He was released from hospital late on Saturday night before he was detained for questioning under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

At his first court hearing, on March 17th, he was granted legal aid and Garda Conor Fleming had said in evidence that Mr Redmond "made no reply" when he was charged with the offences.

Due to the nature of the offences alleged, bail can only be considered by the High Court.