Angry scenes as man appears in court charged with the murder of Michael Foley in Macroom

A MAN has appeared before Bandon District Court in Co Cork charged in connection with the murder of a 61-year-old father of four found dead in a sheltered living apartment complex in Macroom on February 6 last.

Daniel Hourigan, care of Cork Simon Community, was charged with the murder of Michael Foley at a date unknown between January 31 and February 1 of this year in the town of Macroom.

Det Sgt Danielle Hegarty gave evidence of arrest charge and caution. The court heard that Mr Hourigan made no reply when the charge was put to him under caution at Bandon Garda Station at 11.18am today. 

Sgt Trish O’Sullivan told Judge James McNulty that the State application was for a remand in custody until a sitting of Clonakilty District Court next week.

Judge James McNulty remanded Mr Hourigan in custody to appear before Clonakilty District Court on February 20th. Mr Hourigan (31) will appear by video link when he is next before the court.

Free legal aid was assigned as Mr Hourigan is in receipt of job seekers allowance. Judge McNulty ruled that the accused receive medical attention in custody.

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said that his client needed the doctor on two occasions when he was in custody arising out of his “various addictions.” 

Mr Hourigan also complained of having nerve pain in his arm when he was in the body of the court.

Judge McNulty said that the Governor would be made aware of the addiction issue and the possible need for medication to ease the anxiety of Mr Hourigan. 

There were angry scenes outside the courtroom as the accused was driven away from the courthouse by gardaí.

Meanwhile, a woman in her thirties who was arrested in connection with the death of Mr Foley was released without charge in the early hours of this morning.

A file will be prepared for the DPP.

Meanwhile, Mr Foley was a native of Scartagh, in Clonakilty in Co Cork. He was laid to rest at St Mary’s cemetery in the town following noon requiem mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception last Monday.

He was predeceased by his mother Kitty and his brother Timmy. He is survived by his father Mickie, his daughters, grandchildren, siblings, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Mr Foley had lived in the sheltered accommodation in Macroom for about a year. He was found dead by a care worker who went to check on his welfare when he hadn’t been seen for a few days.

A murder investigation was launched following the completion of a postmortem at Cork University Hospital by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster. 

The results were not released for operational reasons. However it is understood Mr Foley suffered a violent death.