The High Court has granted bail to two men charged with the murder of grandmother Ms Joan Casey at her home in Avonbeg Park, Tallaght, Dublin, on April 3rd.
The two are Mr Timothy Rattigan (25), St Dominic's Terrace, Tallaght, and Mr Conor Grogan (25), Avonbeg Park, Tallaght.
Gardaí had objected to bail but after hearing lawyers for both sides, Mr Justice O'Donovan fixed bail at €1,500 for each man, of which €500 is to be lodged in court, together with independent sureties of €21,000 each, of which €7,000 is to be lodged in court.
Both men are to reside at addresses remote to where the deceased lived, and to sign on twice daily at local Garda stations.
In granting bail, the judge said neither of the accused was going to get a trial within 12 months and possibly 18 months. If they were refused bail, they were going to be in custody. Both enjoyed the presumption of innocence. On balance he must, in the interests of justice, allow bail on stringent terms.
Mr Justice O'Donovan said each of the applicants was to have no dealings whatsoever with any member of the Casey family. The family was not to be contacted in any way, and neither was any other person who was to be a witness for the prosecution. In the event that there was any evidence of any such contact, even the most casual, bail would be revoked.
Shortly after bail had been granted and the parties had left the courtroom, Mr Joseph Barnes, for the DPP, returned to the judge and raised Mr Rattigan's case.
Mr Barnes said that as a witness, Det Insp Seamus Kane, had left the courtroom, Mr Rattigan was seen by Ms Maria Hickey, of the Chief Prosecution Solicitor's office, to make eye contact with the officer and utter the words: "Good enough for you, you f***ing wanker." Insp Kane did not hear the remark, counsel said.
In evidence, Ms Hickey said that, as she was leaving court, she was following Insp Kane. A man in a yellow jumper whom she did not know craned his neck and said: "It's good enough for you, you f***ing wanker." She had asked the inspector who the man was and he had identified him as Mr Rattigan.
In evidence, Mr Rattigan said he and the inspector had looked at each other. Mr Rattigan said he had said nothing. The garda officer was walking by and directly facing him, and they could not help looking at each other. Mr Rattigan said he did not try to make eye contact and was speaking to his family and a prison guard.
Mr Justice O'Donovan said he was sure Ms Hickey had not come to court to tells lies but he would not revoke bail. He told Mr Rattigan to be careful and not to say anything to anybody.
Earlier, Insp Kane said that on April 3rd last, the glass doors of Ms Casey's home were smashed and two shots were fired through a bedroom door. Ms Casey suffered a fatal wound to the heart.