Two men charged in connection with a fatal incident which occurred in Athlone on Saturday morning will reappear in Mullingar District Court today (Thursday, August 18 ).
David Higgins (18 ) of St Paul’s Terrace, Athlone, is charged with assault causing harm to Paul Connolly and with engaging in violent disorder at Church Street, Athlone, on August 13.
Sean Munnelly (35 ), of Irishtown, Athlone, is charged with assault causing harm to Paul Connolly and with engaging in violent disorder at Church Street, Athlone, on August 13.
The men were brought before a special sitting of Mullingar District Court on Sunday night following their arrest for the alleged unprovoked attacks which resulted in the death of the deceased.
Edenderry native, Paul ‘Babs’ Connolly, died from the injuries he sustained in the assault which occurred on Church Street at approximately 2.35 on Saturday morning. The deceased was visiting the town as part of a stag party but was separated from the group when the incident occurred. He was taken to Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinasloe following the assault where he was later pronounced dead.
Speaking to the Athlone Advertiser on Tuesday morning, Sergeant Andrew Haran confirmed that the two males will be brought before Mullingar District Court today under the charges of violent disorder and assault causing harm, as the Gardai prepare a file for the DPP.
“The defendant, Sean Munnelly, remains in custody awaiting court reappearance, while the second defendant, David Higgins was released in bail under a number of stringent conditions. Gardai are currently sifting through CCTV footage and are conducting interviews with members of the public as we strive to ascertain a clear view of the alleged incidents which resulted in this fatal incident in the early hours of Saturday morning. Post mortem tests remain ongoing.
“We are still calling upon the members of the public who were in the vicinity of where this alleged fatal incident took place to come forward and assist the Gardai with their enquiries,” Sergeant Haran stated.
Two vehicles burned in Baylough housing estate
Meanwhile, Sergeant Haran further confirmed that two vehicles were burned out in a Baylough housing estate on Tuesday morning.
Gardaí are of the opinion that one vehicle was intentionally set alight was set alight and due to its close proximity to the second vehicle, it too caught fire.
“The cars were parked in the driveway of a house in the Annsfield Woods estate and we are treating the incident as an arson case,” Sergeant Haran commented.
Sergeant Haran has requested assistance from the public as an investigation into the incident continues.
