Book of evidence awaited for man charged with grandfather's murder in west Donegal

A man charged with the murder of his grandfather in west Donegal just days before Christmas has had his case adjourned for a month.

Derek Mulligan appeared by videolink at Monday's sitting of Letterkenny District Court. Sergeant Maurice Doyle told the court that Gardai are still awaiting a book of evidence in the case.

Judge Ciaran Liddy adjourned the case until April 22. Mulligan is charged that on December 19, 2023 at Carrickaboyle, Derrybeg, he did murder one Derek Burns.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has already consented for all matters to be sent forward to the Central Criminal Court for trial. Members of Mulligan's family were in court for the hearing.

Mr Burns, who was in his 70s, passed away at Letterkenny University Hospital a number of days after the assault last December. The pensioner was being treated in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital but subsequently died from his injuries.

On December 19 last, Detective Garda Paul Dolan gave evidence of arresting and charging Mulligan. The accused is also charged on the same date and place did cause criminal damage to a red Nissan Qashqai.

Mulligan, of Magheraclogher, Bunbeg is also charged with making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to a person known to him.

On the same date and location he is also charged with assaulting another person also known to him. He is also charged with the assault of a third person on the same date and at the same location.