Teen accused of Offaly murder remanded in custody

A teenager accused of the murder of Lorna Woodnutt in Offaly on Friday last appeared before Tullamore District Court by video link this morning.

The boy had previously been remanded in custody to Oberstown Detention Centre at a sitting of the court last Saturday.

The accused's video link hearing before Judge Andrew Cody today ran into a technical issue as the camera at the detention centre wasn't working. It was then agreed that the hearing would proceed via an audio link only.

Judge Cody was told that the boy wanted to know who was present in court, and the judge outlined to him who had been allowed to attend the in-camera hearing.

The judge told him that today's hearing was "only a formality" and that, subject to any submission by defence solicitor Aisling Maloney, the case would be "put back for 14 days to check in again, as it were".

Ms Maloney told the court there was no issue with the 14-day adjournment.

She added that the case was "a complex matter," but asked that it be dealt with "as expeditiously as possible" given the age of the accused.

Judge Cody asked the boy if he had any questions and he replied, "No".

The accused was further remanded in custody to appear again at Tullamore District Court on Wednesday, October 18, at 10.15am.