Man (25) charged with murder of mother and assault of father in Cork

Olivia Kelleher

A 25-year-old man has been charged with the murder of his 59-year-old mother and with assault causing harm to his father, close to the family home in Ballinlough on the southside of Cork city on Monday night.

David Gallagher, with an address at Shrewsbury Downs, Ballinlough, Cork city, appeared before Cork District Court on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Gallagher was charged with the murder of Stella Gallagher at Shrewsbury Downs on November 17th last.

He was also charged with assault causing harm to his father, Brian Gallagher, at the same location on the same date.

Evidence of arrest, charge and caution was given by Det Sgt Niall Hayes of Blackrock Garda Station in Cork city.

He said that Mr Gallagher made no reply when the charges were put to him under caution at 1:27pm on Wednesday at Kyrl Street in Cork.

Mr Gallagher had been detained for questioning at the Bridewell Garda Station, which is located on Kyrl Street.

Sgt John Kelleher said gardaí were seeking a remand in custody to Cork District Court on November 26th next. Bail is not granted at the district court level when the charge is that of murder.

Defence solicitor Shane Collins Daly applied for and was granted free legal aid for his client, who is not working.

He stated that his client has been seen by a medical practitioner on average every eight hours while in custody and was given medication on these examinations.

He asked that Mr Gallagher receive urgent medical and psychiatric evaluation whilst in custody. Judge John King agreed to his request and directed that the accused receive medical care in prison.

Judge King remanded Mr Gallagher in custody to appear at Cork District Court on November 26th by video link.

Mr Gallagher, who was wearing grey pants and a burgundy top, was not required to speak during the brief hearing.

Stella Gallagher died at Cork University Hospital on Monday night. She had been transferred onsite via ambulance.

Mrs Gallagher was a native of Ballinspittle in Co Cork. She was a chemical engineer who was employed for many years at Eli Lilly in Cork.