Son on Cork murder charge is also accused of criminal damage to family home

The young man from Ballinlough who is accused of murdering his mother and injuring his father last November was brought before Cork District Court this afternoon and charged with the additional count of causing criminal damage to the family home.

Detective Sergeant Niall Hayes brought the new charge against 25-year-old David Gallagher today. And Sergeant John Kelleher said the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed that the case should be dealt with by indictment at the Central Criminal Court.

A book of evidence is to be prepared and should be completed in about a month, Judge Catherine Ryan was told.

The new charge states that at the family home at Shrewsbury Downs, Ballinlough, without lawful excuse, the accused man did damage property, to wit, a front window and front window frame, intending such damage or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged, contrary to the Criminal Damage Act.

This is the third charge now brought against him arising out of the investigation into incidents on November 17 2025.

The first charge states: “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 states: “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.” 

While a number of his court appearances have been by video link from Cork Prison, David Gallagher appeared in Cork District Court in person yesterday, his dark hair greying, wearing glasses and a grey tracksuit and runners. He was not required to speak during the brief hearing.

Shane Collins-Daly, his solicitor, said that because of the new charge the first adjournment could only be for one week but he said that on the next occasion there would be consent from the defence to a remand in custody for four weeks to allow time for the preparation of the book of evidence. 

The only thing expected to occur on June 3 will be an adjournment for four weeks. Judge Ryan was told that the book of evidence should be ready by then.

When this matter first came before the court six months ago, Mr Collins-Daly said: “I would ask the court to direct that he receive urgent medical and psychiatric evaluation on his arrival in Cork Prison.”