The young engineering student charged with the manslaughter of 11-year-old Midleton schoolboy Robert Holohan, was yesterday transferred from Cork Prison to the Midlands Prison, Portlaoise, for his own safety.
Mr Wayne O'Donoghue (20), from Ballyedmond Hill, Midleton had been brought to Cork Prison on Monday night after he was charged with the manslaughter of Robert Holohan at Ballyedmond at a special sitting of Midleton District Court.
While it is understood that one inmate at Cork Prison had threatened to kill Mr O'Donoghue prior to his arrival at the jail at around 9.30 p.m. on Monday, it is believed the decision to transfer him arose from other concerns for his safety.
Mr O'Donoghue was interviewed by the prison psychiatrist upon his arrival, which is standard procedure for those charged with serious offences, and it is understood that it was on foot of that interview that a decision was taken to transfer him to the Midlands Prison in Co Laois.
He was taken from Cork Prison under prison officer escort at around lunchtime yesterday and brought to a newly built observation unit at the Midlands Prison which allows for better monitoring of prisoners.
Mr O'Donoghue was remanded in custody to Cork Prison by Judge Michael Pattwell at the special court sitting on Monday night after his solicitor, Mr Frank Buttimer, said that his client didn't wish to apply for bail at the time but would reserve the right to do so.
He was remanded in custody to appear again at the scheduled sitting of Midleton District Court tomorrow when he will be brought there from the Midlands Prison by a Garda escort.
A second year engineering student at Cork Institute of Technology, Mr O'Donoghue was arrested for questioning about the death of Robert Holohan after he made contact with investigating gardaí on Sunday and voluntarily agreed to be interviewed.
A near neighbour of the Holohan family, he participated in the extensive search for the fifth class pupil at Midleton CBS primary school on a number of occasions. He also attended last Saturday's funeral Mass for the dead boy.
Young Robert's body was found dumped at Glanturkin near Inch Strand on January 12th - some eight days after he disappeared.