Man charged with Wicklow murder

A MAN has been charged with the murder of Stephen O’Meara, whose body was found on Christmas Eve.

Michael Dickinson (24), of no fixed abode, appeared at a special sitting of Bray District Court yesterday morning.There was tight security for his appearance, with armed officers from the regional firearms response unit patrolling the courthouse area.

Det Sgt Fergus O’Brien said Mr Dickinson was arrested at 6.54pm on Sunday and taken to Wicklow Garda station, where he was charged with the murder of Mr O’Meara.

A father of three children aged between one and five, Mr O’Meara had disappeared on the evening of August 6th from near his home in Wicklow town.

He had told his partner Catherine Green that he was going to meet someone and that he would be back within an hour. He was never seen alive again.

His remains were found in a wooded area at Ballydonnell near Red Cross in Co Wicklow, about 20km from his home, on Christmas Eve.

Det Sgt O’Brien told the court that Mr Dickinson responded to the charge by saying: “I am sorry for all the hardship I have caused Stephen’s family.”

Mr Dickinson wore blue track-suit bottoms and a hooded top for his short appearance in court. He spoke only to confirm his name and that he was unemployed.

Mr Dickinson’s counsel Seamus Clarke asked for him to be given protective custody in prison.

Judge Murrough Connellan said protective custody was a matter for the prison governor.

It is understood that Mr Dickinson was taken to Cloverhill Prison to remain on remand. He will appear again before the court on January 4th.