Chief suspect in Athy murder to be re-charged

Athy Gardaí have received instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions to re-arrest and re-charge a man for the murder of David Boland in Athy in November.

Dad-of-one David (34) was stabbed multiple times during a row on Duke Street.

Last week Judge Desmond Zaidan ordered that charges against suspect Calvin Cullen (20) of Greenhills, Athy be struck out as the case had been adjourned six times previously and and because the prosecution had failed to produce the Book of Evidence within the allowed time.

However investigating Gardai led by Garda Supt Martin Walker have now received directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions to re-arrest and re-charge Cullen in coming weeks.

Gardai had told Naas District Court that a very intensive and labour-intensive investigation had amassed over 300 witness statements.

There were also a total of 12 searches of property carried out and and six arrests of people of interest were processed.