Solicitor calls for progress in case of man charged with Ardara murder

A solicitor representing murder accused Michael Maloney has implored gardai to make some progress in the case.

Mr Mark Mullaney, a Sligo-based solicitor, was speaking at Monday’s sitting of Letterkenny District Court.

The 32-year-old Maloney, who has been charged with the murder of popular Ardara businesman Stephen McCahill, appeared via video link from Castlerea Prison.

Maloney is charged with the Murder of Mr McCahill at his home at Beagh, Ardara in the early hours of Monday, January 5.

The charge is Contrary to Common Law and as provided for by Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1964.

Maloney was due to hear directions in his case from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), but Garda Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that the file on the case is not ready to go to the DPP yet.

Sergeant Collins told the court that he was hopeful the file will be forwarded next week and he asked for the case to be adjourned until April.

Mr Mullaney said he would like to see progress on that date adding that his client has been in custody for the past two months.

Sergeant Collins said he understood and said that Gardai would seek to expedite matters as quickly as possible but added that this was quite a complex matter.

Maloney, a relation of Mr McCahill by marriage from Loughros Point in Ardara, spoke only to say he understood the case was being adjourned.

Mr McCahill, a 66-year-old father-of-two, was killed at his home and Maloney, who was arrested a short time later, was charged with his murder before a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court.