Woman arrested in Cavan over 1988 death

A 39-year-old woman has appeared in court charged with assaulting her father with intent to murder him 23 years ago. Sharon Cullen, from Ballyjamesduff in Co Cavan is also accused of causing grievous bodily harm to her father Christopher Payne in May 1988. The 52-year-old was attacked in his home at Rutland Grove in Crumlin, Co Dublin by a group of people armed with a hatchet. He sustained serious head injuries from which he never recovered and died the following year. In court yesterday (Tuesday), Detective Sergeant Dan Kelly said he arrested Sharon Cullen in Ballyjamesduff at 7.25pm on Monday evening and when charged three hours later she made no reply. Sharon Cullen was granted free legal aid and bail on her own bond of €1,000 and an independent surety of €5,000. She also has to sign on at a garda station twice a week, surrender her passport and not apply for another. The court was also told that the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that she be returned for trial on both offences before the Central Criminal Court. Judge Timothy Lucey remanded her to appear again on January 17.