Michaela murder case given deadline

Jonathan Byrne (19) of Lohunda Downs, Clonsilla in Dublin, is accused of murdering Michaela Davis on the Porterstown Road, west Dublin, on August 28.

The teenager was originally charged with her murder on August 30 and then remanded in custody.

Remanded

Yesterday, at Cloverhill District Court, Byrne was further remanded for the fifth time, pending the preparation of a book of evidence by the State.

Byrne, who wore a dark top and dark trousers, did not speak during the brief court appearance, when he was accompanied by members of his family.

Garda Det Sgt Daniel Callaghan of Blanchardstown Garda Station asked Judge Bridget Reilly for an extension of time for the book of evidence to be completed and served on Byrne.

Det Sgt Callaghan explained to the judge that he needed another "fortnight or three weeks at the outside".

Defence counsel Austin O Briain consented to the garda's application for an extension of time but requested that the case would be marked peremptory against the State.

Judge Reilly adjourned the case and remanded Byrne to appear before the same court again next month -- on December 7.

Missing

The judge also consented to defence counsel's request to mark it "peremptory against the State".

This means the book of evidence must be ready to be served on the accused at his next court appearance, otherwise the prosecution against him could be struck out.

Michaela Davis was a first-year student at Luttrellstown and attended her first classes a week before she went missing in the early hours of August 28 last.

She was reported missing shortly after 2am, about two hours after leaving her home in the Village development in the Blanchardstown area.

The 12-year-old schoolgirl had told family members she would return shortly.

Her partially clothed body was found shortly before 4pm in undergrowth on a bank of the Royal Canal.

hnews@herald.ie