Court grants legal aid to man accused of imprisoning Ciaran Noonan
A Dublin man charged with falsely imprisoning murdered father-of-one Ciaran Noonan was granted free legal today before being further remanded in custody to appear again in the New Year.
Mr Noonan was abducted in Dublin after an assault in the East Wall area on October 20.
The 29-year-old victim, who was living in Ashbourne, Co Meath but was from the East Wall area, was last seen being bundled into a car. His remains were discovered on November 4, dumped in a field at Tullaghmeaden, about six miles outside Trim, Co Meath.
Coolock native Mark Allen (aged 33), who had an address at Baylis Village, Johnstown, Navan, Co Meath, was last month charged with false imprisonment of Mr Noonan at Russell Ave, on October 20.
At his first appearance in court on November 25, it was heard that a further more serious charge was expected to be brought against him and bail was refused.
The issue as to whether he would be allowed free legal aid had also been deferred.
The unemployed father-of-one, dressed in blue jeans and black jacket, was back before Cloverhill District Court today. He remained silent during the proceedings and was not required to speak.
His solicitor, Conor Ruane, applied for legal aid on his behalf, however, Garda Sergeant Dave Gallagher objected.
Mr Ruane said his client had been a floor-layer during “the good years”, a trade he had inherited from his father, however that had ceased in 2008.
He said that Mr Allen and his brother had inherited the family home in Coolock from their mother and it was not his to sell, and his client's car had been seized.
Judge David McHugh noted the seriousness of the charge before the court and the fact that a more serious charge may be brought.
He granted Mr Allen legal aid and further remanded him in custody to appear again on January 10.
The defendant made no reply when originally charged last month.
