Ballyhaunis man sent for trial for unlawful killing of son

ON BAIL Defendant John Tighe is pictured at Castlebar District Court last week. Pic: Keith Heneghan/Phocus

A BALLYHAUNIS man has been sent forward for trial for the alleged unlawful killing of his son.
John Tighe of Lavallyroe, Ballyhaunis, appeared before Westport District Court, sitting in Castlebar today (Wednesday) where he was sent forward for trial to appear at Castlebar Circuit Court tomorrow (Thursday).
It is alleged that on June 1, 2013, Mr Tighe wilfully neglected his son and unlawfully killed him on the same date.
Mr Tighe was served with the Book of Evidence by Detective Garda Kenneth Waldron before Claremorris District Court, sitting in Castlebar on Tuesday, however due to an issue with independent surety, he was not formally sent forward for trial.
The court heard that independent surety had previously been provided by a neighbour of the accused, however this man would be providing evidence in the trial and could therefore not act as independent surety.
Another neighbour of Mr Tighe’s appeared in court to confirm that he would act instead and provide a cash lodgement of €2,000.
Today’s court heard that there was consent to bail on the same conditions previously set out by the court, including the surrender of Mr Tighe’s passport, signing on twice weekly at the local garda station and the lodgement of the €2,000.
An application for legal aid was granted by the court which heard that Mr Tighe is in receipt of job seeker’s allowance.