Man (32) charged with fatal shooting of Mark Cullen in Dún Laoghaire

The father of three was shot in the leg and died at the scene, a court heard.

LAST UPDATE | 17 Oct

A 32-YEAR-OLD MAN has been remanded in custody, charged with the murder of Mark Cullen, who died following a shooting in Dún Laoghaire in Dublin during the summer.

Cullen was fatally injured in a gun attack at Patrician Park on Kill Avenue on Sunday, 5 July.

The father of three, from Shanganagh Cliffs, Shankill in south Co Dublin, was shot in the leg and died at the scene.

Gardaí arrested Edward Andrews of Radharc na Farraige, Wicklow town, Co Wicklow, earlier this week for questioning, and charged him with the murder of Mark Cullen contrary to common law.

He was held overnight pending his appearance before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court on Saturday morning.

Before the case began, solicitor Edward Bradbury told the judge he normally represented Andrews; however, he could not act for him in these proceedings because of the ongoing industrial dispute.

Solicitors have withdrawn their services in response to legal aid payment reforms introduced in July, causing widespread disruption to the criminal justice system.

“I regret to inform the court that I will not be taking any active role in these proceedings due to Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan’s refusal to engage with the Law Society,” the solicitor stated.

Judge Hughes said, “It is a very serious charge before the court, murder.”

Bradbury replied: “I am here out of respect to my client and respect to his rights, and the court.”

He added: “This places every active participant in the court in an invidious position; it is not acceptable from the profession’s perspective.”

The judge commented that it is a “most unique position” for a person to appear before the court charged with murder, having the presumption of innocence and a solicitor not formally representing the accused or taking an active role in the proceedings.

Detective Sergeant Grace O’Boyle of Dún Laoghaire station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. She told the court that Andrews replied, “no comment,” when the charge was put to him at 9.40pm on Friday.

The District Court does not have jurisdiction to consider bail in a murder charge, which requires an application to the High Court, and he was automatically remanded in custody.

He will appear at Cloverhill District Court on Friday.

Dressed in a grey T-shirt, black trousers, and white runners, Andrews greeted the judge with “morning”.

The judge recapped the legal representation situation.

However, Andrews did not wish to select another practitioner to act for him.

Nevertheless, the court granted Andrews a legal aid certificate, but no solicitor had yet been assigned. He told him that very few solicitors in Dublin were operating under the new scheme.

Judge Hughes said the accused was eligible because he was unemployed and receiving social welfare.