Trial of man accused of murdering Cork pensioner could last three weeks, court hears

Olivia Kelleher

A sitting of the Central Criminal Court in Cork has heard that the trial of a 31-year-old man charged with the murder of a pensioner could take up to three weeks.

Aaron Wolfe of Glentrasna Court, The Glen, Cork, appeared before the court on Monday, having previously been charged with the murder in 2023 of West Cork native Florence 'Florrie' O'Sullivan.

Wolfe is charged with the murder of O’Sullivan (68) at Glentrasna Court on March 11th, 2023. O’Sullivan died at Cork University Hospital (CUH) on April 6th, 2023, having been transferred onsite with injuries.

O’Sullivan was originally from Adrigole but had lived in Cork city for a number of years as well as in Carrigaline in the county.

O’Sullivan was found lying unresponsive on the street at Glentrasna Court shortly after 8pm on March 11th, 2023. He was taken to hospital for treatment.

Following his death a post mortem examination was carried out at CUH by Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster. The findings of the postmortem were not released for operational reasons. However, the case was upgraded to a murder probe.

Aaron Wolfe was subsequently charged with the murder of O’Sullivan. A previous charge of assault causing harm was withdrawn by the State

On Monday at the Central Criminal Court in Cork, Prosecution senior counsel Jane Hyland, asked that the case be adjourned to a sitting of the court on February 16th next. Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford granted the application.

O'Sullivan was laid to rest at Kilcaskin Cemetery on April 10th, 2023, after a requiem mass at St Fachtna's Church in Adrigole.

At the time of his death he was survived by two brothers and a sister, a brother and sister in law as well as extended family and friends.