Man charged with Kilrush murder

A Co Clare man was yesterday charged at Ennis District Court with the murder of Kilrush woman, Ann Walsh (23).

Raymond Donovan (23), New Houses, Cooraclare, was charged with the murder of Ms Walsh at Toler Street, Kilrush, on August 24th.

Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Garda Michael Ryan said he arrested Mr Donovan before court yesterday and charged him with the murder of Ms Walsh.

Garda Ryan told the court Mr Donovan said he understood the charge and in reply to the caution, Mr Donovan said: "I didn't mean to do it."

Insp Kevin Moynihan of Ennis Garda station asked that the charge against Mr Donovan of intentionally or recklessly causing harm to Ms Walsh on August 24th be withdrawn.

Judge Leo Malone acceded to this and granted legal aid to the accused's solicitor, Tara Godfrey, in respect of the murder charge.

Ms Walsh's mother, Ann, and sister, Mary, were present in court for yesterday's brief hearing.

At a previous court hearing relating to Mr Donovan, both were removed from the courtroom by gardaí arising from a court disturbance prompted by Mr Donovan being assaulted by Leslie Kenny (23) of Elm Drive, Kilrush.

Last month, Kenny received a five-month jail term after pleading guilty to assaulting Mr Donovan.

Mr Donovan has been remanded in custody since August 26th.

He also appeared yesterday in connection with 10 summonses against him arising from alleged criminal damage, public order matters and driving offences between November 2002 and June 2004 at Ennis and Kilrush.

Insp Moynihan applied that Mr Donovan be further remanded in custody to reappear at Lisdoonvarna District Court November 16th.