A Co Clare man yesterday appeared in court on charges arising from a disturbance at Ennis District Court last Friday when a district court judge left his bench and court proceedings were suspended.
At Kilrush District Court yesterday, Leslie Kenny (23), Elm Drive, Kilrush, was charged with assaulting Raymond Donovan (23), New Houses, Cooraclare, during a sitting of Ennis District Court last Friday. Mr Donovan was making his fifth court appearance last Friday charged in connection with the death of Kilrush woman, Ann Walsh (23), whose body was discovered in the grounds of St Senan's Church, Kilrush, on August 24th.
In court yesterday, Mr Kenny was also charged with intent to provoke a breach of the peace at Ennis District Court last Friday. His solicitor, Eugene O'Kelly, told Judge Joseph Mangan yesterday: "Some of the lurid publicity attached to last Friday's court sitting ... suggests you were tied up so closely with the events that it may not be appropriate for you to hear the case."
Judge Mangan said: "I was aware of the commotion, but not aware of the identity of any of the people involved." Insp Tom Kennedy agreed the judge had to decide if he wished to hear the case. Mr Kenny was remanded in custody to appear at Ennis District Court on October 5th .
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