Brother of Sandra Boyd may face new charges, court hears

A Dublin man accused of firearms offences after the death of his sister Sandra Boyd has been remanded in continuing custody pending “more serious charges”.

Ms Boyd (36), a mother of five, was fatally wounded in a suspected accidental shooting incident at her house in Collins Place, Finglas, Dublin, shortly before 9pm on March 19th.

Her younger brother Derek Boyd (27), also from Collins Place, was charged last week.

He is accused of two offences contrary to the Firearms Act: unlawful possession or control of five rounds of 9mm Luger calibre ammunition and a Kahr CW9 semi-automatic pistol at his sister’s home address on March 19th.

He did not apply for bail at a hearing on March 23rd and was remanded in custody.

Mr Boyd appeared on Wednesday at Cloverhill District Court via video link.

Detective Sergeant Damien Mangan asked Judge Victor Blake for an adjournment to obtain formal directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and possible further charges.

Counsel told Mr Boyd there would likely be new charges, and he needed to give consent to the four-week adjournment sought by Detective Sergeant Mangan.

“I don’t know what any of this means; this is all new to me,” Mr Boyd replied.

His barrister explained it was a procedural matter. The DPP had to indicate if the case would remain in the district court or trial on indictment, in the Circuit Court, or if there would be new charges.

Mr Boyd requested a two-week remand.

Asked if that was enough time, Detective Sergeant Mangan said: “It’s a complex case, there will be a substantial file submitted to the DPP on this matter, and we are asking for further, more serious charges.”

Judge Blake remanded Mr Boyd in continuing custody to appear again on April 13th for the DPP directions and possible further charges.

Mr Boyd blessed himself and said “Thank you, everybody” at the end of the hearing.

At his first court appearance last week, Detective Sergeant Mangan said Mr Boyd had “no comment” to the ammunition charge, and in response to the gun possession offence, “he made no reply”.

The defence said the firearms charges “relate to a terrible accident” and a “heartbreaking tragedy”.

Family members came to that hearing to support him. His lawyers said they did not anticipate any bail application in this case.