A 17 year old Romanian gypsy, accused of the unlawful killing of a publican in Oughterard and with withholding information from Gardaí, was further remanded in custody when he appeared before Galway District Court yesterday.

The defendant and his co-accused, Marian Lingurar (35), with an address at 29 Orchard Court, Blackpool, Co Cork, were arrested in Cork last Thursday, and brought before a special court sitting on Friday, where they were charged with the manslaughter of John Kenny, at Kenny’s Bar, Main Street, on September 25, and with withholding information in relation to the case between that date and October 4 2011.

Lingurar replied: “I don’t know anything about this” when he was charged with the unlawful killing of John Kenny, contrary to Common Law, at Kenny’s Bar, Main Street, Oughterard, on September 25 last year. The second defendant said: “I didn’t kill anyone.”

They are further charged with failing to disclose as soon as practical to members of An Garda Siochana information they knew or believed might be of material assistance in securing the apprehension, prosecution, or conviction of any other person for the unlawful death of John Kenny, contrary to Section 9 of the Offences Against the State Act 1998.

Lingurar replied after caution: “I don’t know anything, do you have any proof that I did; my son was working there.” The second defendant said: “I told you the truth.”

Solicitors for both applied for bail, which was met with strong opposition by the State. Garda Fergal Kilbane told the court that the juvenile had no ties to the country, that he was living in rented accommodation, and was a flight risk.

See full report in this week's Connacht Tribune.