Man charged with murder of Cork mother further remanded in custody

Olivia Kelleher

A 25-year-old man charged with the murder of his 59-year-old mother, Stella Gallagher, and with assault causing harm to his father Brian Gallagher, close to the family home in Ballinlough in Cork city has been further remanded in custody.

David Gallagher, with an address at Shrewsbury Downs, Ballinlough, Cork city appeared before Cork District Court on Wednesday by video link. Mr Gallagher was previously 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.

On Wednesday at Cork District Court Sgt Gearoid Davis made an application that Mr Gallagher be further remanded in custody for DPP directions. Judge Mark O’Connell remanded the accused in custody until December 10th next for DPP directions. Mr Gallagher was not required to speak during the brief hearing.

Meanwhile, last week at Cork District Court Dt Sgt Niall Hayes gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Mr Gallagher. He said that the accused made no reply when the charges were put to him.

Defence solicitor, Shane Collins Daly, asked that his client receive urgent medical and psychiatric evaluation whilst in custody. Judge John King directed that Mr Gallagher receive timely and appropriate medical intervention in prison.

Mrs Gallagher, nee Griffin, was native of Ballinspittle in Co Cork. She was a chemical engineer who was employed for many years at Eli Lilly in Cork. She was laid to rest yesterday at St Michael’s cemetery following a funeral mass at Our Lady of Lourdes church in Ballinlough.