Manslaughter accused to face trial at Dundalk Circuit Court in the New Year

The late Laurence McGeown RIP

A 31-year-old who is charged with the manslaughter of a man in a local pub earlier this year has been returned to the Circuit Court to face trial.

Charles Hutchinson (31), with an address at Barton Park in Dundalk is accused of the unlawful killing of Laurence ‘Michael’ McGeown (63) at Fagan’s Pub on the Castletown Road last March.

Mr McGeown died on March 6^th, just days after being assaulted while having a drink in the pub near to his home in Toberona.

The father of three was admitted to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda following the attack on Friday February 28th but later released.

However, he was discovered unconscious two days later in his home by his daughter Lisa and remained in a serious condition until his life support machine was switched off on Thursday March 6^th.

Mr Hutchinson had previously been charged with assaulting Mr McGeown, causing him harm but this was withdrawn at Dundalk District Court yesterday where Judge Flann Brennan sent the 31-year-old forward to the next sitting of Dundalk Circuit Court on January 13^th.

Local man appears in court accused of manslaughter of Laurence McGeown

The late Laurence McGeown RIP

A man appeared before Dundalk District Court earlier today charged with the manslaughter of a 63-year-old man in the town last March.

Charles Hutchinson (31), with an address at Barton Park in Dundalk is accused of the unlawful killing of Laurence ‘Michael’ McGeown at Fagan’s Pub on the Castletown Road.

Mr McGeown died on March 6^th, just days after being assaulted while having a drink in the pub near to his home in Toberona.

The father of three was admitted to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda following the attack on Friday February 28th but later released.

However, he was discovered unconscious two days later in his home by his daughter Lisa and remained in a serious condition until his life support machine was switched off on Thursday March 6^th.

Mr Hutchinson had previously been charged with assaulting Mr McGeown, causing him harm. Garda Padraig O’Reilly gave evidence of arresting the accused and said the defendant made no reply when the charge was put to him,

According to LMFM, defence solicitor Conor MacGuill told the court that his client was already on bail and if there was no objection to it being extended, he was consenting to a six-week adjournment.

This was agreed to by Judge Flann Brennan, who put the case back until November 5^th.

He remanded the accused on continuing bail and extended time for service of a book of evidence.

 

Gardaí appeal for information on Toberona assault

Gardaí are appealing for information regarding an assault that occurred in the in the Toberona area of Dundalk on Sunday last.

A middle-aged man was assaulted by two men who broke into his house in the Oldbridge estate.

The intruders got into the house by breaking a kitchen window around 8pm, with the victim assaulted in his bedroom.

The two men then fled the scene without taking anything.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Gardaí at 042-9335577.

Teenager hospitalised and another man injured following aggravated burglary in Dundalk

A teenager was hospitalised and another man injury after four masked men broke into a house in the Toberona area shortly after lunchtime today and assaulted the two male occupants.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the aggravated burglary after the four men broke into the house at around 1.45pm, carrying what were described as offensive hand weapons.

A 19-year-old was hospitalised after being wounded in the attack, while a 44-year-old man was also hurt.

The four attackers fled the scene on foot, with Gardaí appealing for anyone who may have seen them coming or going from the estate to contact them at Dundalk Garda Station.

31-year-old man charged with Dundalk assault that led to death of Laurence McGeown

Laurence McGeown RIP

Gardaí have this morning charged a 31-year-old man in connection with the serious assault of Laurence ‘Michael’ McGeown, who died in hospital yesterday.

The suspect was arrested in Dundalk on Wednesday and is due to appear before Drogheda District Court this morning.

Mr McGeown, from Toberona, was having a drink in Fagan’s Pub on the Castletown Road last Friday when he was assaulted. He was admitted to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda but later released.

However, he was discovered unconscious two days later in his home by his daughter and remained in a serious condition until his life support machine was switched off shortly after 3pm yesterday.

A post mortem on his body will be carried out later today.

From Toberona and formerly of Drumnacar, Ravensdale, Mr McGeown is survived by his children Michael, Lisa and Christopher and grandchildren Eamonn, Christopher and Olivia.

He is also survived by his siblings Sarah, Paddy and Rena.

No funeral details are available at present.

Post mortem to be carried out today on body of Laurence McGeown

Laurence McGeown RIP

State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy is due to perform a post mortem later today on the body of Laurence ‘Michael’ McGeown.

The 63-year-old bartender passed away in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda yesterday after suffering serious head injuries in an assault at Fagan’s pub on the Castletown Road on Friday last, February 28^th.

A man in his 30s was arrested in connection with the attack on Wednesday and remains in Garda custody.

From Toberona and formerly of Drumnacar, Ravensdale, Mr McGeown is survived by his children Michael, Lisa and Christopher and grandchildren Eamonn, Christopher and Olivia.

He is also survived by his siblings Sarah, Paddy and Rena.

No funeral details are available at present.

Man dies following Dundalk assault

Laurence McGeown RIP

Laurence McGeown, the 63-year-old bartender who was assaulted on the Castletown Road last Friday night, has died in hospital from the head injuries he sustained in the attack.

The incident happened at Fagan’s Bar, where Mr McGeown was enjoying a drink. He was approached by a man who punched him in the unprovoked attack.

He was removed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda following the incident but later released. However, he returned to hospital on Monday when his daughter discovered him unconscious in his Toberona home.

He has been in a critical condition ever since but lost his battle for life this afternoon surrounded by his family. His life support machine was turned off shortly after 3pm.

Gardai in Dundalk are now preparing to upgrade their investigation to one of murder pending the outcome of a postmortem this evening.

A man in his 30s was arrested in Dundalk yesterday and gardaí have until 11pm tonight to charge or release him.

Dundalk Salmon Anglers hold AGM

Fishing on the River Fane

The Dundalk Salmon Anglers Association held their annual general meeting last Sunday.

Approximately 50 members attended the meeting in the clubrooms of the Dundalk Brown Trout Anglers’ Association in Toberona.

The meeting agreed that for 2014 the first time joining fee for senior members would be €80. This would apply to existing and new members and would have to paid before 1st May. After 1st May the fee will be increased to €130. The membership of the club is capped at 175 members each year, so the earlier you get your application in the better chance you have.

The fee for members over 65 is €45 and junior membership is only €10. There is no limit to the number of junior members. Day tickets will cost €15.

The Total Allowable Catch for the River Fane for 2014 is 411.

The average salmon catch on the association’s waters over the last five years (2008 – 2012) was 219, of which the average release back into the river was 40%. The average salmon caught on the Fane weighs 7lbs or 3kgs.

The Association controls fishing on approximately five miles of the Fane. When water conditions are right the fishing for salmon, sea trout can be excellent. There is no commercial fishery on the estuary or the river. The Fane is also one of the country’s top wild brown trout fisheries and a paradise for dry fly enthusiasts.

Any angler wishing to join the association can do so by going to their website www.dundalksalmonanglers.com or email secretary John McCaughey at dundalksalmonanglers@gmail.com or phone 086 067 6380.

Dundalk store vows to reopen following break-in

A local shopkeeper has vowed to reopen his store following a break-in last week.

J&S Stores in Toberona was broken into last Thursday night/Friday morning with a large quantity of cigarettes and scratch cards stolen.

Thousands of euro worth of stock and equipment were also either destroyed or damaged by raiders, who are believed to have gained access to the shop via the roof.

The store has remained closed since but the owners are hopeful of it reopening next week.

Gardaí are investigating the robbery at present.

Complaints of dumping at Toberona

There have been numerous complaints in recent weeks about the ongoing illegal dumping at Toberona.

According to local residents, the problem has been ongoing since before Christmas but is now “getting out of hand.”

Talk of the Town was sent the picture above, which shows a range of materials being dumped at the back of houses in the estate.

No one from the council has so far cleaned up the mess while residents are also calling for action to be taken to prevent further dumping near to their homes.