Murder accused apologises to family for killing his brother

A man tonight apologised to his family after admitting murdering his brother.

Declan Ó Cualain (Folan) appeared at a special sitting of Galway District Court after he had been charged at Galway garda station.

Det Sgt Paudie O’Shea, of Salthill Garda station, told the court that he had arrested and charged Declan Ó Cualain at 6.55pm yesterday.

The 40-year-old accused, who is single and from Cuilean, Carraroe, Co Galway, is charged with murdering Adrian Ó Cualain (Folan) at Lislorkin North, Liscannor, Co Clare on Friday.

Responding to the charge, he said: “I am guilty of the offence. I am sorry for putting everyone through this.”

Det Sgt O'Shea told Judge Mary Fahy that Declan Ó Cualain had signed an acknowledgement of his reply to the charge.

Inspector Derek Gannon applied to have the accused man remanded in custody and Judge Fahy noted that, as the charge was one of murder, no application for bail could be made to her court.

She remanded Mr Ó Cualain in custody to Harristown District Court on Friday.

Defence solicitor Adrian MacLynn applied for legal aid and handed a statement of means of his client into court. Judge Fahy noted that he was unemployed and on a back-to-work scheme. In light of these facts and the gravity of the alleged offence, she granted legal aid.

Mr MacLynn advised the court that his client was also on medication and asked the judge to add a request for medical attention to her remand order. Judge Fahy said that he would be seen by a GP who would decide if he needed medication.

The body of 41-year-old Adrian Ó Cualain was discovered by gardaí on Monday morning at a quarry in Liscannor. It had been placed under a makeshift mound of rocks.

A post mortem examination by State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy is understood to have concluded that he died from strangulation.

Concern had been raised for the safety of Mr Ó Cualain when he was reported missing last Thursday. Gardaí issued a public appeal for assistance in tracing his whereabouts.

A computer programmer, he was described by friends as "very talented and extremely bright". He had previously graduated with a first class honours degree in commerce from NUI Galway.

During his student days, he had worked part-time in a Galway city pub. He had moved to Athlone several months ago to take up the opportunity of a one-year postgraduate programme which was run by ICT Ireland in consultation with technology multinational, Ericsson.

He was also one of the founders of the successful online website locallotto.ie