A Galway woman charged with a murder in the city two years ago has been ordered to appear before the Central Criminal Court tomorrow morning after she failed to appear before the court for a second time this week.
Una Black (25), Droim Chaoin, Bishop O'Donnell Road, Galway, is charged with the murder of John Malone, at Walter Macken Flats on December 3rd last year.
Ms. Black was due to appear for her trial before the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday, but it later emerged she had gone to Wales by ferry the night before.
Following her non-appearance on Tuesday, the trial was adjourned until today but Ms Black again failed to present herself before the court this morning.
Mr Justice Paul Carney ordered Ms Black to appear before the Central Criminal Court by 11am tomorrow morning. He said if she failed to appear that he would then consider issuing a European Arrest Warrant to have her brought back to Ireland.
Detective Superintendent, P.J. Durkan gave evidence that Gardai were of the belief that the accused was still in Wales.
Ms. Aileen Donnelly, S.C. prosecuting, informed the court that gardai were aware a ticket back to Ireland was booked in Ms. Black’s name on Wednesday but that she never boarded the ferry.
Justice Carney said strong representations had been made to the court to hold the trial in Galway and the court had agreed to that, but he said, the trial would now have to take place in Dublin.
The Judge discharged the jury panel and said he would give the accused a chance to appear before the court this morning, otherwise, he said, he would issue the warrant.
“If this happens then her trial will take place at the court’s convenience and the accused will be held in custody until then."