A man charged in connection with the murder of a 64-year-old father-of-three, whose dismembered body was found at a derelict house in Cork city in 2019, has been sent forward to the Central Criminal Court where he will go on trial in connection with the killing.
Francis 'Frankie' Dunne late of Churchfield Avenue, Knocknaheeny in Cork was found dead on the grounds of a house in Boreenmanna Road in the city on 28 December, 2019.
Ionut Cosmin Nicholescu, 29, appeared before a special sitting of Cork District Court on 3 December charged in connection with the murder.
Today, Mr Nicholescu was before the same court having completed his period of isolation which was mandatory arising out of Covid-19 protocols in prison. Mr Nicholescu had to go in to isolation as he was arrested in Romania on foot of a European Arrest Warrant.
The book of evidence has been served by Detective Garda Alan McCarthy on the defendant's solicitor, Shane Collins Daly.
Inspector Ray Dunne said that the DPP had directed trial by indictment at the Central Criminal Court. Inspector Dunne said that the application of the State was that Mr Nicholescu be returned for trial on a date to be confirmed at the Central Criminal Court.
Mr Collins Daly said that his client planned to make an application for bail in the High Court in due course.
Judge Olann Kelleher granted free legal aid in the case to facilitate the appointment of two counsels for the trial. He also agreed to a request from Mr Collins Daly that the book of evidence be translated in to Romanian.
Whilst Mr Nicholescu has adequate English the court heard that he would need the more technical aspects of the case to be translated in to his mother tongue.
Mr Nicholescu was remanded in custody until his next court appearance at the Central Criminal Court on a date yet to be determined.
Mr Nicholescu is charged that on a date unknown between 27 and 28 December, 2019 at Castle Greine in Boreenmanna Road in Cork city he did murder Frankie Dunne contrary to common law.
The court previously heard from Detective Garda Alan McCarthy who said that he arrested Mr Nicholescu of Branista Village, Branista Commune, Damovita in Romania at 3.37pm on 3 December at Dublin Airport.
Mr Dunne was last seen alive on 27 December, 2019 leaving Cork Simon's high support homeless centre, Clanmornin House on the Boreeenmanna Road on the southside of the city.
