A number of people had to be escorted from Waterford courthouse this morning after shouting broke out during a remand hearing of a Tipperary man accused of murdering a mother of four.
Danny Whelan – who is originally from Thurles but listed as being of no fixed abode – is charged with murdering 31 year old Samantha Walsh at an unknown time between April 26 and April 28 last on Thomas Street in Waterford city.
He made his fourth appearance in relation to the charge at Waterford district court this morning and, just after he was led into the courtroom for the hearing, several abusive shouts were directed at him from the opposite side of the room.
Several Gardaí who were in the courtroom quickly brought the people shouting out of the room and the courthouse and, although shouting continued outside for some time, Judge David Staunton proceeded with the court business.
The book of evidence was due to be presented to Danny Whelan today but Inspector Stephen O’Sullivan said that while much of the evidence was ready, they were still waiting on a toxicology report from the autopsy.
Ed O’Mahony BL, for the accused, said it was “completely unsatisfactory at this stage” that the matter is still “hanging around”.
Judge David Staunton said it was a “very serious and complex matter”.
The inspector applied for an adjournment until July 24 and this was granted by the judge. “It seems a legitimate reason,” Judge Staunton said.
Judge Staunton remanded 25 year old Whelan in custody, to appear again before Waterford district court on July 24.
Samantha Walsh, a mother of four children, was found dead in the apartment she was renting on Thomas Street in Waterford on the afternoon of Friday April 28.
