Sanjeev Chada (43 ), Ballinkillen, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, appeared before Castlebar District Court on Wednesday where he was sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court.
Detective Sergeant Gary Walsh told the court that he served the book of evidence on the accused before court.
Judge Mary Devins sent Chada forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court on two charges of murder of his sons Eoghan (10 ) and Ruairí (5 ) at Skehanagh, Ballintubber on July 29.
Their bodies were discovered in the boot of their father’s crashed Ford Focus in Rosbeg, Westport, on the same date.
The defendant did not speak during the brief hearing but only nodded when he was given the alibi warning by Judge Devins.
Legal aid was granted to solicitor James Hanley for one junior and one senior counsel.
As the defendant was led away a man in the body of the court shouted “murderer, child killer, look at us”.
Prison services got lost on way to court
Chada was to be before court at 10.30am, however was not produced until almost an hour later. Judge Devins said that this was one of the most serious cases before the courts in Mayo and criticised the prison services for not getting the defendant before court on time. “If someone is charged with murder they should be here at 10.30am.” The judge said that it is a “total disconcerting attitude” towards the district court, which “is really not appreciated”.
When Chada was produced the judge asked the prison escort why the defendant was not before court on time. The prison officer said that he collected Chada from the Central Mental Home at 6am, however he said that he took a wrong turn in Roscommon and ended up 40 minutes out of the way.
