Accused in Cobh sword murder case denied bail

A barber and tattoo artist, who is awaiting trial accused of murdering a father-of-two in a sword attack in Cobh, Co Cork, has been refused bail.

Dylan Scannell, aged 30, of O’Rahilly St, Cobh, is charged with the murder of Ian Baitson, aged 33, at Newtown Rd on March 15.

Mr Baitson was injured shortly before 9 pm in a Eurospar car park and taken to Cork University Hospital for treatment.

However, he was pronounced dead four days later.

Mr Scannell, a father of three, has been in custody on remand following a District Court appearance on March 25.

In July, he was further charged with two additional offences.

One of the newer charges was for the production of a long-bladed sword capable of inflicting serious injury in the course of a dispute and in a manner likely to unlawfully intimidate another person on March 15 at the Eurospar car park.

The other was under money laundering legislation for possessing crime proceeds between August 2023 and March 2024.

Because he faces a murder charge, the accused had to bring his bail application to the High Court in Cloverhill, Dublin.

He appeared before Mr Justice Tony Hunt via video link today but did not give evidence during the proceedings.

His barrister, Keith Branagan, argued that conditions could address issues raised by gardaí.

The defence also proposed that the bail could be set in his bond of €10,000 with a €10,000 independent surety, and Mr Scannell would surrender his passport and reside outside of Cobh.

Gillian Finane, for the State, asked for bail objections to be outlined by Detective Sergeant Gerard O’Shaughnessy from the investigation team at Midleton Garda Station, which were supported by Chief Superintendent Vincent O’Sullivan, who heads up Cork West and Cork North Garda Division.

Det Sgt O’Shaughnessy voiced concerns about flight risk and witness interference.

However, he agreed with Mr Branagan that his client had significant ties in the jurisdiction, having a girlfriend and three children.

The hearing was told Mr Scannell used to run a barber and tattoo shop, but it closed during the covid-19 pandemic.

Det Sgt O’Shaughnessy also accepted there was no evidence that Mr Scannell had been located near a border area or about to board a ferry.

He alleged that for days after the incident, the accused had been staying in a secluded location in Cappoquin, Co Waterford, while posting on social media that he was fishing in Fermoy, Co Cork.

He was arrested on March 22.

Mr Justice Hunt stressed the legal position that a presumption in favour of bail was rooted in the presumption of innocence.

He considered the proposals by the defence but held that gardaí had established their grounds and denied Mr Scannell bail.

Mr Justice Hunt noted from Ms Finane that it was expected that the prosecution’s book of evidence book will be ready to be served on the accused in the District Court on Tuesday.

Mr Justice Hunt also said that Mr Scannell should not have a lengthy wait until his trial, because the Central Criminal Court regularly sits in Cork.