Further remand for musician nephew charged with murdering businessman Stephen McCahill

A man accused of murdering Donegal businessman Stephen McCahill has been further remanded in custody.

Letterkenny District Court heard that directions are awaited from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the case of Michael Maloney.

The 32-year-old appeared by video link from Castlerea Prison. Garda Sergeant Maurice Doyle told the court that consent had been given for a four-week remand.

He said the court was awaiting directions and Judge Emile Daly adjourned the case until February 9.

Maloney, of Loughros Point, Ardara, spoke only to confirm he understood the direction of the court.

He is charged that on January 5, 2026, at Beagh, Ardara, he did murder Stephen McCahill.

The charge is contrary to Common Law and as provided for by Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1964.

Mr McCahill, a 66-year-old father-of-two, was killed at his home at Breagh, Ardara in the early hours of January 5.

Maloney, his nephew by marriage, was arrested a short time later and charged with his murder at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court.

Maloney is a musician who has more than 15 million streams on Spotify.

Hundreds of people attended Mr McCahill's funeral mass in Ardara on Saturday.

Tributes poured in for Mr McCahill, a long-time community activist and businessman who was the Donegal Person of the Year in 2016. He was a publican and auctioneer in Ardara, where he was involved in a wide range of community-based groups and organisations.

“The loss to his family, friends and the Parish of Ardara is unquantifiable and we hope that time will eventually heal everyone who mourn his passing,” CLG Ard An Ratha said.

“His work in promoting the Town as the home of the festivals has brought thousands of people to the area over the years, providing employment for so many as a result, and his work with the Town Traders and Awake Tourism was always based around getting economic support for the town so that local businesses would benefit most.”

Singer Imelda May, who was in McCahill’s Corner House bar the night before he was murdered, said she was “heartbroken” at the passing of a man she said was “special” and was “the glue to a whole community of Ardara”.