Cork man (25) charged with murdering his mother and assaulting his father 

Urgent psychiatric attention was requested for a 25-year-old man charged this afternoon with murdering his mother outside the family home in Ballinlough on Monday night.

David Gallagher was charged with murdering his 59-year-old mother, Stella Gallagher, and assault causing harm to his father, 63-year-old Brian Gallagher.

Shane Collins-Daly, solicitor, said the young man was being seen by a doctor, approximately once every eight hours since his arrest on Monday night.

Detective Sergeant Niall Hayes testified at the very brief court hearing at Cork District Court today that the accused man was formally charged at lunchtime (1.27pm) with two counts.

The first charge stated: “On November 17, 2025 at Shrewsbury Downs, Ballinlough, in the District Court area of Cork city, district number 19, he did murder Stella Gallagher, contrary to common law.” 

The second charge stated: “On November 17, 2025 at Shrewsbury Downs, Ballinlough, in the District Court area of Cork city, district number 19, he did assault Brian Gallagher causing him harm, contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.”

Det Sgt Hayes testified that he cautioned David Gallagher that he did not have to say anything but that whatever he might say would be written down and could be given in evidence. 

No reply

To each charge, the defendant made no reply.

The 25-year-old with long, shaggy hair, wearing a dark sweatshirt and light grey track pants, looked downwards as he sat in the dock, and was not required to speak.

No DPP directions are required on the murder charge which will ultimately be dealt with at the Central Criminal Court. 

Directions are required on the assault causing harm charge, but are not yet given.

Sergeant John Kelleher said that his application was for a remand in custody for seven days on the murder charge.

Judge John King adjourned both charges until November 26 at Cork District Court, and directed that the accused should appear by video link from prison.

Mr Collins-Daly said at that point: “He has been assessed on numerous occasions by medical practitioners since Monday. He has seen a doctor on average every eight hours or so. And he is being given medication by those doctors.

“Given the nature of one of the charges the accused is not entitled to make an application for bail. There is consent to a remand in custody for seven days.

“I would ask the court to direct that he receive urgent medical and psychiatric evaluation on his arrival in Cork Prison.” 

The court appearance follows from the investigation of a serious stabbing incident at around 9pm on Monday night.