A MAN charged with the murder of the journalist Veronica Guerin is to be tried before the non jury Special Criminal Court.
Mr Paul Ward (32), of Windmill Park, Crumlin, appeared at a special sitting of the court yesterday and was remanded in custody until May 6th.
He was charged at the Dublin District Court last February with murdering Ms Guerin on Naas Road, Clondalkin, Dublin, last June 26th.
Mr Eamonn Leahy, counsel for the State, told the court yesterday Mr Ward had been returned for trial from the District Court on March 26th.
Mr Leahy said that under the rules of the court the papers from, the District Court must be received within a seven day period but in this case they had been received outside that period.
Mr Justice Morris, presiding, said the court would make an order extending time for transmission of the documents to April 11th.
Mr Ward's solicitor, Mr Ernie Hanahoe, said he conceded the court had the power to make the order but he could not give his consent to it.
Mr Ward was remanded in custody until May 6th. He is the first person to be charged with the murder of Ms Guerin (36).