Man charged in Cork with murder of homeless man

A 28-year-old man has been remanded in custody after he was tonight charged with the murder of a homeless man whose dismembered body was found in the grounds of a derelict house in Cork almost two years ago.

Romanian, Ionut Cosmin Nicholescu with an address at Branistea Village, Branistea Commune, Damovita County, Romania was brought before a special sitting of Cork District Court on Friday night and charged with murder of Francis (Frankie) Dunne.

Mr Nicholescu, who didn’t speak during the four minute hearing, was charged that on a date unknown between December 27th 2019 and December 28th 2019, he murdered Francis Dunne at Castlegreine House, Boreenamanna Road, Cork, contrary to Common Law.

Det Garda Alan McCarthy gave evidence of arresting Mr Nicholescu at Dublin Airport, Swords, Co Dublin and later charging him with the murder of Mr Dunne. He told the court that Mr Nicholescu replied “I didn’t do that” when the charge was put to him after caution.

Insp Ray Dunne applied for a remand in custody and said that the DPP had directed trial by indictment at the Central Criminal Court and he also said that the DPP had consented to Mr Nicholescu going forward to the Central Criminal Court on a signed plea of guilty if he so chose.

Defence barrister, Elaine Audley BL applied for free legal aid in the name of solicitor, Shane Collins Daly and she asked Judge Olann Kelleher to direct the Cork Prison authorities to provide Mr Nicholescu with any appropriate medical attention upon his arrival in jail.

Judge Kelleher agreed and directed that Mr Nicholescu receive any necessary medical attention in prison and he remanded him in custody to appear again at Cork District Court next Thursday, December 9th by video link.