ON 16 FEBRUARY 2011, Celyn Eadon was remanded in custody at Castlebar District Court but, despite the order, he walked out of the courtroom.
About three weeks after his release, he was charged with killing his mother Noreen Kelly-Eadon at her home in Derrynacrieve, Islandeady, near Castlebar.
The 46-year-old died from multiple stab wounds.
A report into what happened during the court hearings in early 2011 was undertaken by Judge Michael Reilly earlier this year following a request from then-minister Alan Shatter.
Publishing the report today, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said it found that “proper procedures had operated in Castlebar District Court”.
Justice Reilly also said he was satisfied with improved protocol that has been put in place for the handling of warrants in provincial district courts.
The report did not have the remit to look at the conduct of members of An Garda Síochána, a matter that was dealt with under the statutory disciplinary procedure.
GSOC is also still examining the practice, policy and procedure in relation to dealing with persons who are committed to custody on remand by a court.
Commenting on the report, Fitzgerald said:
“I very much regret the tragic situation that has occurred. The primary concern at this stage is to ensure that such a serious breakdown at operational level should not happen again. In this context I note that Judge Reilly has expressed satisfaction with the manner in which these matters are dealt with by the Courts Service. With regard to the Garda Síochána the relevant procedures are currently the subject of a review by GSOC and I hope to receive its report with the results of the review at an early stage.”
The Eadon family were given a copy of the report prior to its public release today.
The Timeline
Prior to 16 Febuary 2011: Eadon was before the District Court numerous times for traffic offences.
19 January 2011: Eadon failed to appear in court and a warrant for his arrest was issued.
2 February 2011: The Bench Warrant was executed and Eadon was brought to Castlebar District Court. He was remanded in custody to Harristown District Court on 4 February 2011. He was not granted bail.
4 February 2011: Eadon was remanded in custody to Castlebar District Court on 16 February with consent to bail on a number of terms, including a bond of €300, an independent surety of €600 to be approved by court, a curfew, strict sign-ins, to be resident with his mother and to stay off drugs and alcohol.
He was unable to take up bail so he remained in custody to Castlerea Prison.
16 February 2011: Eadon was further charged on Charge Sheet No 11298126 with theft. On this charge, he was remanded on his own bail of €50 to appear at Achill District Court on 10 March 2011. He signed the bail form.
But, on the other charges, he was remanded in custody on the seven sets of summonses referred to above from 19 January.
Despite the court order that he was remanded in custody – and the prepared warrants that were given to the gardaí, he walked out of the District Court.
9 March 2011: Noreen Kelly-Eadon was found dead in her home.
11 March 2011: Celyn Eadon, then 19, was charged with the murder.
February 2014: Eadon was convicted of the murder.
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