CARRICK-ON-SUIR – Finnegan ‘Finn’ Yowell, a 33-year-old man from Kinsalebeg, Co Waterford, has been remanded in custody after being charged with the murder of an 81-year-old woman.
The proceedings in Carrick-on-Suir District Court follow the discovery of Noreen Daly’s body at her residence in Ardsallagh, west Waterford.
The case marks a significant escalation in a Garda investigation that began over the weekend in the border region between Co Waterford and Co Cork, and will now move into the formal courts process under Ireland’s criminal law framework governing homicide and trial procedure.
### Court Proceedings and Evidence
Yowell, who resides at Old School House in Ticknock, Kinsalebeg, appeared before Judge John O’Leary during a brief hearing in Carrick-on-Suir District Court. The District Court’s role at this stage is primarily to confirm the charge, consider custody and bail, and make preliminary orders before the case is returned for trial to a higher court.
Det Garda Stephen Condon provided evidence to the court regarding the arrest and the caution administered to the accused. According to the testimony, Yowell made no reply to the charge after being cautioned – a detail routinely recorded in serious criminal matters.
The court heard that Noreen Daly was killed on Sunday, June 14. Her body was discovered in her Ardsallagh home the following day, Monday, June 15, after concerns were raised for her welfare.
Yowell was taken into custody on Tuesday morning and held pending his appearance in court, following what Gardaí described as an intensive investigation in the rural border area between Co Waterford and Co Cork.
### Judicial Orders, Remand and Next Steps
During the hearing, Provision Sgt Tom O’Brien applied for the defendant to be remanded in custody, a standard request in murder cases where bail can only ultimately be considered by the High Court rather than the District Court.
Defence solicitor Ken Cunningham did not apply for bail on behalf of his client at this stage. However, Cunningham requested that Yowell be subjected to medical and psychiatric assessments upon his committal to prison, reflecting the courts’ obligation to ensure that accused persons receive appropriate healthcare while in custody.
Judge O’Leary granted the request, ordering that the specified assessments be carried out and that any necessary treatments be provided to the accused by the Irish Prison Service. The judge also noted that the case will proceed through the usual directions process with the Director of Public Prosecutions, who will determine the final form of the charges.
The sequence of events leading to the remand is as follows:
- June 14: Date of the alleged murder of Noreen Daly.
- June 15: Discovery of the victim’s body in Ardsallagh.
- June 16: Arrest of Finnegan Yowell in connection with the investigation.
- June 17: Initial court appearance in Carrick-on-Suir District Court and order for remand in custody.
Yowell, who wore a light grey tracksuit, remained silent throughout the five-minute proceedings, speaking only to confirm his identity.
He has been remanded in custody to appear again at Clonmel District Court on June 23, when the court is expected to receive an update on the progress of the Garda file and on directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Further hearings will determine when the case is sent forward for trial before a higher court.
Keep reading
