A man accused of firearms offences after the death of his older sister yesterday wept and said “I’m sorry” as he was charged with killing her.
Derek Boyd appeared before Judge Victor Blake at Cloverhill District Court yesterday. Sandra Boyd, 36, was fatally wounded in a suspected accidental shooting incident at her house in Collins Place, Finglas, North Dublin, shortly before 9pm on March 19.
Emergency services rushed her to the Mater Hospital, but she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Her younger brother Derek, 27, also from Collins Place, was initially charged with unlawful possession or control of five rounds of 9mm Luger calibre ammunition and a Kahr CW9 semi-automatic pistol at his sister’s home address.
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He did not apply for bail when he faced an emotionally charged hearing on March 23. He has remained in custody since while cops sought directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
In June, Det Sgt Damien Mangan told the court: “It’s a complex case, there will be a substantial file submitted to the DPP on this matter, and we are asking for further, more serious charges.” Yesterday he charged Mr Boyd with unlawfully killing the mother-of-five.
He then brought him to appear before Judge Blake to give evidence of arrest, charge and caution. The visibly upset accused replied, “I am sorry,” when the manslaughter charge was put to him.
Judge Blake noted that the DPP directed trial on indictment in the Circuit Court. Family members were in court for the latest developments in the case, but there was no application for bail.
The accused was remanded in custody pending the preparation of a book of evidence. Boyd will appear again next Friday.
At his first court appearance in March, Det Sgt Mangan said the accused had “no comment” to the ammunition charge, and in response to the gun possession offence, “he made no reply”.
At the outset of the proceedings, the defence said the firearms charges “relate to a terrible accident” and a “heartbreaking tragedy”. Lawyers said they did not anticipate any bail application.
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