Gardai say that directions in the case of a Gaoth Dobhair man charged in connection with the death of his grandfather just days before Christmas will be finalised next month.
Officers had initially hoped to receive directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) this week in the case of Derek Mulligan.
However, when the case was called before Letterkenny District Court on Monday, Sergeant Gerard Dalton told the court that there is ‘one item still outstanding’. Sergeant Dalton told Judge Éiteáin Cunningham that he had spoken to Mulligan’s legal team about the matter,
“We are in agreement to put it back a month and we hope to have it finalised before then,” Sergeant Dalton said.
Mr Rory O’Brien, solicitor for Mulligan, said the matter could be adjourned to March 11 on consent.
Mulligan appeared before the court by video link from Castlerea Prison, where he is in custody.
The 36-year-old is charged that on December 17, 2023 at Carrickcoyle, Derrybeg, Gaoth Dobhair in the district area of An Clochan Liath, he did intentionally or recklessly cause serious harm to Derek Burns.
Mr Burns, who was in his 70s, passed away at Letterkenny University Hospital a number of days after the assault. The pensioner was being treated in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital but subsequently died from his injuries.
Mulligan is also charged on the same date and place did cause criminal damage to a red Nissan Qashqai.
Mulligan, of Magheraclogher, Bunbeg is also charged with making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to a person known to him.
On the same date and location he is also charged with assaulting another person also known to him.
He is also charged with the assault of a third person on the same date and at the same location.
A psychiatric report for Mulligan was previously directed by Judge Eiteain Cunningham.