A 39-year-old man has appeared before Castlebar District Court charged with the manslaughter of his infant son three years ago.
John Tighe, with an address at Lavallyroe, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, was arrested and charged yesterday evening.
He faces one charge of unlawful killing and a second charge of wilful neglect.
The court heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions had instructed that the accused stand trial at the Central Criminal Court on the more serious of the two alleged offences.
Inspector Tom Calvey said the State was opposed to bail given the seriousness of the charge, the nature of the evidence to be presented and the likely sentence in the event of conviction.
The offences are alleged to have occurred on 1 June 2013.
Defending solicitor Alan Gannon said his client denied the charges against him and was most anxious for the trial to proceed.
He said that Mr Tighe was first formally interviewed by gardaí in July 2015 and had presented for voluntary interviews on two previous occasions.
Describing it as "a tremendously sad case", Mr Gannon said the accused had a second child with his partner since the death of their first child.
The accused was said to be distraught by the incident at the centre of the proceedings.
Mr Gannon said there had been several medical reports carried out and a lengthy garda investigation over almost three years.
He told the judge that Mr Tighe would abide with any bail conditions and that he did not pose a flight risk.
The court was told that the parents were still a couple and that the accused's partner was standing by him and was with him in court.
Mr Gannon said his client had co-operated fully with gardaí at all stages of the investigation and had great community support from neighbours.
Inspector Calvey said he could not disagree with any of the defence submissions.
Mr Tighe was granted bail on his own bond of €300 and an independent surety of €2,000. He was remanded in custody to Castlebar Garda Station overnight, pending payment of the surety tomorrow.
The accused must give an undertaking not to apply for any travel documents, provide a mobile telephone number to gardaí and sign-on at Claremorris Garda Station twice a week.
Upon payment of the surety, he will be remanded on bail at tomorrow's hearing, pending preparation of the Book of Evidence in the case.
