A 45-year-old man has been remanded in custody charged in connection with the assault of his father, who was found dead in Co Waterford two days ago.
John Cashman Jr of Rockfield, Cappagh, Dungarvan, Co Waterford appeared before Carrick-on-Suir District Court today.
The accused is charged with assault causing harm to his 73-year-old father, John Cashman Sr on the family farm in Cappagh, Dungarvan on Monday.
Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene at the approximately 150-acre farm, located about 10km east of Dungarvan, shortly after 6pm on Monday.
Mr Cashman Sr was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene.
Detective Garda Martin Keohane of Dungarvan Garda Station gave evidence this morning of arrest, charge and caution.
The court was told that the accused made no reply when the charge was put to him.
After the court let the matter stand for Mr Cashman Jr's solicitor, Eamonn Hayes to consult with his client about a "bail pack," a lengthy and contested application for bail ensued this afternoon, during which the court heard direct evidence both from the accused and his mother.
Detective Garda Keohane told the court that gardaí would be objecting to bail on a number of grounds, including the serious nature of the alleged offences.
The court was also told that gardaí were still awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination that would determine Mr Cashman Sr's cause of death.
Taking the stand himself, Mr Cashman Jr said that he had moved back to Ireland from the UK in 2021.
He said that he was living on and working from the family farm in Cappagh for which he paid rent to his mother.
Mr Cashman's mother, Gillian also took the stand and told the court that her son would still be welcome to reside on the family farm should he be granted bail.
When asked about her willingness to provide a surety if Mr Cashman was to be granted bail, his mother said she had confidence in her son's "integrity and his honesty to abide the law."
Judge John O'Leary said this was a "very serious matter" and he had to make a "very serious decision" on whether or not to grant bail in this case.
After rising for 15 minutes to consider his judgment, Judge O'Leary said what was before the court today was not a decision on the guilt or the innocence of the accused.
The judge said while Mr Cashman Jr had the right to the presumption of innocence, he was refusing bail.
Judge O'Leary extended his sympathies to the Cashman family for the "event" that he said had been described to the court.
The judge said he expected this has had a traumatic effect on the family as a whole, and the entire community in Cappagh.
Mr Cashman Jr was remanded in custody to appear before court in Clonmel on Tuesday.
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