Donegal man who allegedly killed grandfather to face additional charges

A Donegal man due to stand trial for the murder of his grandfather just days before Christmas is to have additional charges added to his overall indictment

Derek Mulligan is accused of killing Derek Burns on December 19, 2023 at Carraig Mhic Giolla Chomhaill, Doirí Beaga. The 36- year-old Mulligan appeared by videolink at Letterkenny District Court from Castlerea Prison.

Mr Burns, who was in his 70s, died at Letterkenny University Hospital a number of days after an assault last December. The pensioner was being treated in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital but subsequently died from his injuries.

On 19 December last, Detective Garda Paul Dolan gave evidence of arresting and charging Derek Mulligan. The accused is also charged with causing criminal damage to a red Nissan Qashqai on the same date and at the same place.

Mr Mulligan, of Machaire Chlochair, An Bun Beag, is also charged with making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to a person known to him. He is also charged with assaulting another person also known to him on the same date at the same location.

He is also charged with the assault of a third person on the same date and at the same location. Garda Sergeant Maurice Doyle said there is another charge to be added to the indictment stemming from the night Mulligan allegedly killed his grandfather.

Sergeant Doyle said the State was looking for an adjournment so that the matter could be added to the current indictment against the accused man.

Judge Deirdre Gearty granted the order and adjourned the case to Letterkenny District Court on September 3. Mulligan, who is represented by solicitor Rory O'Brien, has had his trial date set for April 28, 2025. A previous court sitting heard that a psychiatric report has been ordered for the accused.