A man accused of murder at a Co Kildare home told gardaí it was self-defence, a court has heard.
Padraig Delaney (43) of 6 the Lane, Eustace Demesne, Naas, Co Kildare is charged with the murder of Shane Knott at his home address between April 3rd and 14th.
He appeared before Naas District Court on Tuesday morning.
Detective Sergeant Enda Gallagher gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution at 11.40pm on Monday night. After caution, the defendant replied: “It was self-defence”.
Det Sgt Gallagher gave an outline of evidence to Judge Desmond Zaidan.
On Sunday April 14th, a relative of the accused called to a Garda station in Dublin concerned there may be a body in Eustace Demesne.
Gardaí attended the scene and found the body of the deceased Shane Knott (37). The defendant was arrested and detained. A postmortem was carried out and the court was told that gardaí were satisfied that Mr Knott died violently. Gardaí were also satisfied the offence happened in the house. Following consultation with the DPP, gardaí were instructed to charge the accused with murder.
Following a query by Judge Zaidan about a possible weapon, Det Sgt Gallagher said a number of exhibits had been seized including “timber, various bits and pieces”.
Det Sgt Gallagher said these items were still being explored and the investigation was in its infancy.
Mr Knott and the defendant were described in court as “acquaintances’’ and ‘’friends’’. The court was told Mr Knott would have frequented the house.
Legal aid was granted in the case, with the defendant described as having “very, very limited means”.
The defence also requested reporting restrictions on his client’s address. Mr Kennelly said his client would be “concerned for his safety” if he was granted bail.
Judge Zaidan refused the application noting the address was already in the public domain and it was the gardaí’s duty to keep the peace.
Judge Zaidan also expressed the court’s condolences to relatives of Mr Knott who were in court.
“You lost your son and loved one in very difficult circumstances. I do not want to say any more than that,” said the judge.
The case was adjourned until this Thursday April 18th for the defendant to appear by video link at Naas District Court.
