Latest news with #BookofEvidence

The Journal
12-05-2025
- The Journal
Man and woman charged in connection with murder of Wexford man Stephen Ring appear in court
A MAN AND woman have been served with the Book of Evidence in connection with the murder of Stephen Ring, whose body was found in a Wexford quarry in October last year. Christopher Judge (41) is charged with the murder of Mr. Ring, aged 27, of Oylegate, Wexford, whose body was found in a lake at Carrigfoyle quarry, a remote beauty spot popular with walkers about ten minutes southwest of Wexford town on 27 October last year. Jane Corcoran (34) is charged with aiding and abetting in a crime, namely murder, contrary to Section 7(2) and (4) of the Criminal Law Act 1997. Both Mr. Judge and Ms Corcoran have an address at Pairc na nDara, Clonard road, Wexford town. Prosecuting Sergt. Victor Isdell told Wexford District Court this morning that he served the Book of Evidence on Ms Corcoran this morning. Sergt. Isdell said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed a return for trial to the Central Criminal Court. Sergt, Isdell also asked for a continuing remand in custody. Mr. Eamonn O'Moore, B.L., for the accused consented to the application. An application for free legal aid was also applied for. Judge John Cheatle explained to Ms Corcoran that the Director of Public Prosecutions had consented that she be tried by indictment in front of a judge and jury at the Central Criminal Court. He remanded the accused in custody to appear before the next session of the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. Advertisement Judge Cheatle also administered the alibi warning to the accused. Legal aid was assigned in the case. Ms Corcoran was in court for the hearing, wearing a white top and dark bottoms and was not required to speak during the short hearing. Sergt. Isdell also gave evidence of having served the Book of Evidence on Christopher Judge this morning. During the short hearing Judge sat to one side of the court flanked by prison officers wearing a dark top and pants. Sergt. Isdell told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed that the accused be sent forward for trial before a Judge and Jury to the next sitting of Central Criminal Court in Dublin. He also requested that the accused be remanded in custody. Judge Cheatle gave an 'alibi warning' to the accused informing her that if she intended to use an alibi as a defence, he must notify the prosecution in writing within fourteen days of receiving the Book of Evidence. Having administered the Alibi warning to the accused, Judge Cheatle remanded him in custody to appear before the next sitting of the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. Judge was represented by Mr. Timothy Cummings, Solicitor, who deputised for Mr. Frank Buttimer, Solicitor. He said he had no application to make other than an application for free legal aid. Judge Cheatle granted the application for free legal aid. 27-year-old Stephen Ring had been missing since 15 October 2024. His body was found in a lake at Carrigfoyle quarry two weeks later. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal


Irish Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man, 75, faces trial over smuggling of woman, 22, he dated online into Ireland
A 75-year old County Clare man accused of providing a fraudulent French ID card to a 22-year old woman he met online in order to assist her to gain illegal entry into Ireland last year has been returned for trial. At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Judge Alec Gabbett returned Roger Bishop of Little Thatch, Crown, Lissycasey, Co Clare for trial to the next sittings of Ennis Circuit Court in connection with two smuggling-related offences connected to the alleged illegal entry of the woman, who was living in Turkey at the time, into the State in March 2024. In court, Garda Emmet Roche gave evidence of handing over the Book of Evidence to solicitor, Colum Doherty, for the accused. Judge Alec Gabbett told Mr Doherty with the Book of Evidence now served, Mr Bishop did not have the option of entering a signed plea of guilt in the district court. Judge Gabbett said that Mr Bishop could enter a plea when arraigned before the circuit court. Judge Gabbett told Mr Bishop that if an alibi formed any part of his defence that he had 14 days in which to do so. Sergeant Frank O'Grady told the court that the DPP consents to the return for trial to the next sittings of Ennis Circuit Court, where more serious penalties apply, after Judge Gráinne Malone declined district court jurisdiction last month after hearing an outline of the alleged facts in court from Detective Garda Karen Barker from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Declining jurisdiction last month, Judge Malone said: 'I appreciate that it is somewhat marginal but in all of the circumstances, particularly the age discrepancy between the two and the element of preparing a fraudulent ID card, I am refusing jurisdiction.' Giving an outline of the facts, Detective Garda Barker stated that on March 1 2024, it will be alleged that Mr Bishop travelled to Turkey, where he met a female. She said: 'He purchased tickets and a French ID card and assisted her in travelling to Dublin Airport, where he presented his passport and the French ID card with her details on it and gained entry. Detective Garda Barker said: 'It was subsequently found that the French ID card was false in the name of the female. She is 22.' The nationality of the woman was not disclosed in court. Asked by Judge Malone how did Mr Bishop come to meet the woman who is 53 years younger than him, Detective Barker said: 'They were in an online relationship.' Asked by Judge Malone where is she now, Detective Garda Barker said: 'She subsequently claimed asylum. She attempted to leave the jurisdiction in May-June and Luxembourg returned her back to Dublin Airport on the false French ID card she had gained entry with previously.' Asked by Judge Malone did Mr Bishop stand to make any financial gain, Detective Barker said: 'No judge - she was culpable. She wanted to come to Ireland and she got in a relationship. He basically thought he was in a relationship with her but when she arrived here, it didn't go to plan.' Detective Garda Barker said that 'it wouldn't be one of the more serious cases we have dealt with'. Detective Garda Barker said that the DPP had directed that the case be dealt with in the district court. Judge Malone said that the DPP has the benefit of all of the papers in this case but said that she was refusing jurisdiction. Mr Bishop - who turns 76 in May - is charged with possessing a fraudulent French ID card at T1 at Dublin airport on March 1 2024 with the intention of assisting another person entry into the State in breach of Section 5 of the Immigration Act 2004 contrary to Section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons Act) 2021. Mr Bishop is also charged on March 1 2024 at T1, Dublin Airport with intentionally assisting the entry of another person into the State which was a breach of Section 5 of the Immigration Act contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Act 2021.


BreakingNews.ie
23-04-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Clare man (75) accused of trying to smuggle woman (22) into State returned for trial
A 75-year-old Co Clare man accused of providing a fraudulent French ID card to a 22-year-old woman he met online in order to assist her to gain illegal entry into Ireland last year has been returned for trial. At Ennis District Court today, Judge Alec Gabbett returned Roger Bishop of Little Thatch, Crown, Lissycasey, Co Clare for trial to the next sittings of Ennis Circuit Court in connection with two smuggling related offences connected to the alleged illegal entry of the woman, who was living in Turkey at the time, into the State in March 2024. Advertisement In court, Garda Emmet Roche gave evidence of handing over the Book of Evidence to solicitor, Colum Doherty for the accused. Judge Alec Gabbett told Mr Doherty with the Book of Evidence now served, Mr Bishop did not have the option of entering a signed plea of guilt in the district court. Judge Gabbett said that Mr Bishop could enter a plea when arraigned before the circuit court. Judge Gabbett told Mr Bishop that if an alibi formed any part of his defence that he had 14 days in which to do so. Sgt Frank O'Grady told the court that the DPP consents to the return for trial to the next sittings of Ennis Circuit Court where more serious penalties apply after Judge Gráinne Malone declined district court jurisdiction last month after hearing an outline of the alleged facts in court from Det Garda Karen Barker from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Advertisement Declining jurisdiction last month, Judge Malone said: 'I appreciate that it is somewhat marginal, but in all of the circumstances, particularly the age discrepancy between the two and the element of preparing a fraudulent ID card, I am refusing jurisdiction.' Giving an outline of the facts, Det Garda Barker stated that on March 1st 2024, it will be alleged that Mr Bishop travelled to Turkey where he met a female. She said: 'He purchased tickets and a French ID card and assisted her in travelling to Dublin Airport, where he presented his passport and the French ID card with her details on it and gained entry." Dt Garda Barker said: 'It was subsequently found that the French ID card was false in the name of the female. She is 22.' Advertisement The nationality of the woman was not disclosed in court. Online relationship Asked by Judge Malone how did Mr Bishop came to meet the woman who is 53 years younger than him, Det. Barker said, 'They were in an online relationship.' Asked by Judge Malone where is she now, Det Garda Barker said: 'She subsequently claimed asylum. She attempted to leave the jurisdiction in May-June and Luxembourg returned her back to Dublin airport on the false French ID card she had gained entry with previously.' Asked by Judge Malone, did Mr Bishop stand to make any financial gain? Det Barker said: 'No, judge - she was culpable. She wanted to come to Ireland, and she got in a relationship. He thought he was in a relationship with her, but when she arrived here, it didn't go to plan.' Advertisement Det Garda Barker said that 'it wouldn't be one of the more serious cases we have dealt with'. Det Garda Barker said that the DPP had directed that the case be dealt with in the district court. Judge Malone said that the DPP has the benefit of all of the papers in this case, but said that she was refusing jurisdiction. Mr Bishop - who turns 76 in May - is charged with possessing a fraudulent French ID card at T1 at Dublin airport on March 1st, 2024 with the intention of assisting another person entry into the State in breach of Section 5 of the Immigration Act 2004 contrary to Section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons Act) 2021. Mr Bishop is also charged on March 1st, 2024, at T1, Dublin airport with intentionally assisting the entry of another person into the State, which was a breach of Section 5 of the Immigration Ac,t contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Act 2021.