A 24-year-old man from Co. Laois has appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court charged with the murder of Aoife Phelan.
Robert Corbet of Sheffield, Portlaoise is charged with murdering the 30-year-old pregnant nanny at Capoley in Portlaoise on October 25th.
Dressed in a black suit and black shirt with white stripes Mr. Corbet appeared before a special sitting of the court this morning.
Detective Sergeant John Healy told the court that at 11.27pm last night he charged the 24-year-old and when asked if he had anything to say he shook his head and said ‘No’.
Psychiatric attention
Solicitor for Mr. Corbet – Declan Breen – requested psychiatric attention and legal aid.
Superintendent Yvonne London objected to the application for legal aid saying he owns a haulage business.
Judge Catherine Staines granted the request for psychiatric care and remanded the defendant in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court on November 15th when she said the matter of legal aid will be dealt with.
A crowd of around 100 people gathered outside the courthouse and the defendant was heckled as he was driven away.
