Teenager charged with Carrickmacross death

A teenager has appeared before a special court in connection with the death of a talented musician in the early hours of Saturday morning last in Carrickmacross. Conor McClelland (19) of Cullentrabane, Laragh, Castleblayney, was charged at a special sitting of Cavan District Court on Sunday evening with assault causing serious harm to Gavin O'Connor. The defendant was remanded in custody to appear at Carrickmacross District Court this morning (Wednesday) at 10.30am. He was accompanied by his parents for his court appearance. The court was told that the defendant had attempted to escape on two occasions while in custody. Mr. O'Connor from Kilmainhamwood, Kells, who was in his early 20s was attacked at Lisdoonan, Carrickmacross, at about 5.30am on Saturday morning. He was removed to Our Lady's of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, where he died from his injuries. State Pathologist Dr. Marie Cassidy carried out a post mortem on the victim in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, on Sunday afternoon. The scene was preserved while a garda forensic team carried out an examination. When asked by Judge Kevin Kilrane why he tried to abscond the defendant said he just "freaked out" when he heard that Mr. McClelland had died. Defence solicitor Michelle Flanagan applied for bail and added that her client accepted the seriousness of the charge. He was willing to stay at home with his parents. Garda Superintendent Noel Cunningham who is leading the investigation objected to bail on the grounds that the defendant was a flight risk. He informed Judge Kilrane that McClelland had tried to escape on two occasions while he was in custody. Superintendent Cunningham told the court that the defendant attempted to escape at the time of his arrest and again while he was in custody at Carrickmacross Garda Station. On the second occasion when McClelland was told that Mr. O'Connor had died from his injuries he claimed he was feeling unwell so Gardaí took him outside and gave him water but he took off out the Shercock Road. He was chased and recaptured. Superintendent Cunningham said there was no guarantee that the defendant would turn up for trial if he was granted bail and he was a flight risk. Judge Kilrane said he was refusing bail and remanded the defendant in custody to St. Patrick's Institution to appear at Carrickmacross on Wednesday at 10.30am. Anyone who may have witnessed the assault or who may have information is asked to contact Gardaí on 042-9690190.