A prisoner accused of the murder of Limerick rugby player Shane Geoghegan has appeared at the Special Criminal Court in a wheelchair and wearing nothing but a pair of shorts.

Presiding judge, Mr. Justice Paul Butler reacted to John Dundon’s attire by asking his barrister ‘have you nothing to say about his state of dress or undress?’.

The 30-year-old inmate at Portlaoise Prison is reportedly on hunger strike refusing food and water since at least last week. The court heard he was taken to hospital last night for medical attention and was later discharged.

His barrister Martin O’Rourke, SC, informed the court that the prisoner was brought back to a new cell and had not had an opportunity to get his own clothes. The court heard he refused an offer of prison clothes.

Mr. Justice Butler said the court would not micro-manage these matters but noted that if the accused does not dress appropriately he will not be allowed attend his trial.

Supreme Court appeal

Dundon of Hyde Road in Limerick is trying to delay his trial for the murder of Garryowen rugby player Shane Geoghegan in 2008.

The High Court last week refused an application to put the case back until next year but an appeal is being sought at the Supreme Court on Thursday.

The Special Criminal Court has agreed in the face of opposition from the prosecution to allow Dundon’s lawyers to at least get to the door of the Supreme Court. On that basis the court has adjourned the trial until Friday.

The main issue according to lawyers for the 30 year old is that the State has only recently served them with thousands of documents of potential evidence which they have not had a chance to go through.

Irrespective of the outcome of the appeal, they say they will also object to the composition of the non-jury court in place to try John Dundon.

The same judges convicted him last year of threatening a woman who is the main witness in this trial.