Teen on double murder charge
A 17-year-old boy was brought before the Dublin Children’s Court today to face a second murder charge in connection with the killing of two Polish men in February.
The teenager, who cannot be named because he is a juvenile, had been already charged earlier with the murder of Pawel Kalite on Benbulben Road, Drimnagh, in Dublin, on February 23 last.
He had been remanded to appear today to be served with the book of evidence in the case, which is to be sent forward to the Central Criminal Court.
However, Judge Patrick McMahon heard today that another charge was being brought against the boy, who was accompanied to court by his father and an aunt.
Dressed in a grey tracksuit, the tall, slender teenager remained silent as Detective Garda Eamon Maloney of Sundrive station, read out the details of the boy’s arrest at the courthouse “in the presence of his father and his solicitor”.
The boy was charged with the murder of Marius Szwajkos, on Benbulben Road, Drimnagh, on February 23 last.
Detective Maloney told Judge McMahon that he was cautioned and made “no reply”.
The teenager’s father was then given a copy of the new charge.
The detective applied to the court for a remand in custody.
Defence solicitor Sarah Molloy said that given the nature of the offence a bail application could not be made in the Children’s Court.
The teenager, who is from the south-east inner city area of Dublin, had already taken up High Court bail in relation to the first murder charge which brought against him in March.
Judge McMahon granted legal aid and remanded the teenager in custody to St Patrick’s Institution for one week pending the completion of the book of evidence in the case.
Earlier the court had been told that “it is being prepared - it is a hefty book of evidence with over 200 statements and CCTV evidence as well”.
Mr Kalite (aged 29) and his friend Marius Szwajkos (aged 27) died after they were attacked on Benbulben Road, a short distance from where they lived.
Mr Szwajkos died from his injuries in St James’s Hospital two days later. Mr Kalite died at the same hospital in the early hours of February 28.
