Padraig Delaney (43) appeared before a sitting of Naas district court in Co Kildare this morning charged with the murder of Shane Knott (37), who died violently on a date unknown between April 3 and April 14 last.
The alleged offence occurred at the accused’s home at The Lane, Eustace Demesne in Naas.
During the court hearing the defence was granted an application to have an independent autopsy of the deceased carried out after stating that the post-mortem report “does not tie in” with their version of events.
Det Sgt Enda Gallagher today gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution, saying the accused responded: “It was in self defence”.
Asked to give an outline of the case, he said the state is alleging that on Sunday a relative of the accused contacted gardaí at a Dublin garda station raising concerns about a body being at Mr Delaney’s home.
The court heard gardaí attended the scene and discovered the body of Shane Knott in the back garden.
Det Sgt Gallagher said the investigation team is satisfied that Mr Knott “died violently” and that his death occurred at the scene.
Asked by Judge Desmond Zaidan if the state is alleging a weapon was used, the witness said this was one line of inquiry being explored.
He said a number of exhibits, including a piece of timber, have been seized and that investigations are ongoing.
The court heard Mr Knott was a friend of the accused and suffered injuries to various parts of his body, including head injures.
“At present we don’t know what has caused those injuries,” Det Sgt Gallagher added.
The State applied for the accused to be remanded in custody as an application for bail on a murder charge can only be granted by the High Court.
Defence solicitor Tim Kennelly informed the court that he was making a number of applications. including legal aid which was granted.
He also said he wanted to apply for an independent post-mortem examination to be carried out.
The lawyer said that certain matters were put to his client in interview relating to the autopsy results, adding that these do not “tie in with what we say is the true and accurate version of events”.
He also said that the medical report “does not in any way support what we say is self-defence”.
Mr Kennelly said he was aware that relatives of Mr Knott were in the process mourning but that it was not an application that could be made in two or three months, and that they required their own independent report.
The defence also applied for legal aid to be extended for them to carry out their own independent examination of the crime scene.
Judge Zaidan said he did not want to be setting a precedent whereby a person charged with murder can apply for a second post-mortem “in the hope they might land something” and described it as a “fishing expedition”.
The court was briefly adjourned for gardaí to receive instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Inspector Paul Reilly then informed the court that the State was not objecting to independent examinations of the deceased’s remains and the crime scene.
Judge Zaidan remarked that the defence was “fortunate” that the State were acceding to the request and that the information given to him was “very scant”.
Mr Kennelly responded that he did not believe his application was scant and that it was remarkably clear.
The judge granted both requests, and a further application for Mr Delaney to be given medical and psychiatric treatment while in custody.
The defence also applied for the accused’s address not to be published due to “concerns” he had, but this was rejected but the judge.
Padraig Delaney was remanded to appear the court again on Thursday via video link.
Relatives of Shane Knott were in court for the hearing, and Judge Zaidan said he wanted to express his sympathies with the family.
