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20 Dec 2025
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20 Dec 2025
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Left: Eddie Friel, and Right: James Spendley (Photo: North West Newspix)
The man charged with the murder of Eddie Friel in Killybegs has been sent forward for trial at the Circuit Criminal Court.
James Spendley, 58, of St Cummin's Hill, Killybegs, was served with the book of evidence at Ballyshannon District Court on Friday, December 19. The court heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) consented to the accused being sent forward for trial to the next sitting of the Circuit Criminal Court, beginning on January 27.
Mr Friel was found dead in his home on Sunday, April 13, 2025. Spendley was arrested early the following day, Monday, April 14. He was initially brought to Carrick-on-Shannon District Court and charged with assault causing serious harm to Mr Friel.
At Ballyshannon District Court on October 3, following a lengthy garda investigation and the results of forensic examination of fingerprints, a footprint and DNA, that charge was withdrawn. Spendley was re-arrested and charged that on a date between April 12 and 13, 2025 inclusive, at Harbour View Drive in Killybegs, County Donegal, he did murder Edward Friel. The offence is Contrary to Common Law.
At the December court sitting in Ballyshannon, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham sent the accused forward for trial to the next sitting of the Central Criminal Court. Legal aid was extended to include junior and senior counsel.
Spendley was remanded in custody in Castlerea Prison where he has been since April.
Having been refused bail in Sligo District Court, it was later granted on the charge of assault causing serious harm following an application to the High Court. However, the defendant remained in custody due to being unable to meet the bail condition to not reside in Killybegs or Donegal Town.
During the lengthy and detailed garda investigation into Mr Friel's death, Spendley appeared 15 times at Sligo District Court, with the majority of the appearances being via videolink. Court sittings during that period heard that there was a delay in the investigation due to the wait for results of forensic analysis fingerprints, a footprint and DNA.
The late Mr Friel’s family have been present at all of Spendley’s court appearances in relation to this matter.
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