Ian Baitson murder suspect remanded in custody

A man who is charged with the murder of Cobh chef Ian Baitson has been remanded in custody for four weeks at a district court sitting in Co. Cork.

Dylan Scannell, 30, with an address at O’Rahilly Street, Cobh Co. Cork appeared by video link from Cork Prison before Judge Colm Roberts at Mallow District Court.

Court presenter Sgt. Majella O’Sullivan said that the State would be applying to have Mr Scannell remanded in custody for two weeks or four weeks if he was willing to consent to the longer period of detention. 

The purpose of the detention is to allow time for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to issue instructions on how the case should proceed.

Solicitor Cathal Lombard acting on behalf of Mr Scannell’s solicitor Ken Murray informed his client that the maximum period of detention allowed without his consent was two weeks but he could consent to four weeks detention if he wished. 

He said that his solicitor had advised him to agree to two weeks detention.

Judge Colm Roberts said that if Mr Scannell only agreed to two weeks detention, in all likelihood he would be remanded in custody for a further two weeks anyway. He advised Mr Scannell to agree to four weeks but added that the decision was entirely his.

Mr Scannell agreed to a four week period which Judge Roberts said was: “A sensible decision. This will take some time.” 

Judge Roberts remanded Mr Scannell in custody to appear again by video link on April 23 for instructions from the DPP.

Mr Scannell was charged with the murder of Ian Baitson at Midleton District Court on Monday. 

Ian Baitson suffered serious injuries during an incident in a carpark in Cobh on March 15, he died in hospital on March 19.