A 19-year-old man has been remanded in custody after he was charged with the murder of a grandfather who was stabbed at his home in west Dublin last year.
James âJakeâ Berney, (53), died following an incident at Foxdene Drive, Balgaddy, on the night of June 25th.
Mr Berney, who lived with his elderly father, worked as a painter and decorator.
The father of two suffered stab wounds to his body and was rushed by ambulance to Tallaght University Hospital, where he died a short time later.
Warren OâToole, with an address at Méile an Rà View, Balgaddy, Co Dublin was arrested on Thursday and detained.
He was brought before Judge Brendan Toale at Dublin District Court on Saturday and charged with Mr Berneyâs murder.
Det Sgt Sean Cosgrove, from Ronanstown Garda station, gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.
He told Judge Toale that when the charge was put to Mr OâToole at 5.45pm on Friday, the accused âmade no replyâ.
The District Court does not have jurisdiction to consider bail in murder cases, which require applications before the High Court.
Defence solicitor Brian Keenan said his client was aware of that and would make an application âin due courseâ.
Judge Toale acceded to Mr Keenanâs request to sanction a psychological assessment, which he described as âabsolutely appropriate in this caseâ.
As a result, the accused was held in custody and will appear at Cloverhill District Court on Thursday.
There was no Garda objection to legal aid, which was granted.
Mr OâToole remained silent throughout the hearing but waved to his relatives, who told him they loved him as he was led from the courtroom.
The Director of Public Prosecutions must complete a book of evidence before the accused can be sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court.
The deceasedâs father, Andrew Berney, who lived with him, identified his sonâs body to gardaà at the Dublin city Mortuary in Whitehall. An inquest into his death has been adjourned pending the judicial process.
