Man wrongly arrested for murder of school teacher appears in Tullamore District Court

A man who had been mistakenly arrested in connection with the murder of a school teacher in Tullamore, came before last week's district court on a number of charges.

Radu Floricel, (40) of 21, Cluain Darach, Tullamore, had spent three days in custody wrongly accused of the murder and had gone through a very hard time, his Solicitor Donal Farrelly said.

Mr Floricel was facing charges of putting a major dent in the passenger door of an ambulance, threatening and abusive behaviour, being intoxicated to such an extent as to be a danger to the public,and resisting Garda Brendan McSweeney in the execution of his duty at Cluain Darach, Tullamore on June 6, 2021. He was also charged with assaulting Larry Dowling causing him harm and with an assault on Keith Cunningham on the same date.

In addition he was charged with damaging the viewing glass of a cell door at Tullamore garda station and with damaging a blanket in the same cell on December 31 2019 and with resisting Garda Shane Hunter at the Bridge Centre car park on the same date.

Mr Farrelly said Mr Floricel hadn't come to the attention of the gardai in 12 months. He had been in good employment. He now suffers from post traumatic stress disorder and is taking medication. He had undergone a very difficult time in the local community, said Mr Farrelly.

Judge Cody commented that what had happened to Mr Floricel had been very unfair but he noted that he had 15 convictions pre-dating his wrongful arrest inclugin 4 for criminal damage, 5 for assault and 2 for resisting arrest.

Mr Farrelly said the event seemed to have a salutary effect on Mr Florical, he has turned over a new leaf and has stayed out of trouble. He asked Judge Cody to give him a chance.

Judge Cody imposed a 12 month sentence suspended for two years.