LAST UPDATE | 27 Jan 2022

A MAN HAS been charged with two counts of deception as part of investigations into allegations that the body of a man was brought to a post office in Carlow.

The deceased man, 66, was brought to a post office on Staplestown Road last Friday by two men.

It was later discovered that the man had died. A post mortem of the deceased has concluded, but the results will not be released for operational reasons.

Declan Haughney, of Pollerton Road, Carlow, aged 40, appeared before Kilkenny District Court this morning in relation to the case.

Detective Garda Joe O’Keefe of Carlow Garda Station told the court that the accused was charged in the early hours of this morning and formally cautioned.

He is charged with two counts of deception under section six of the Criminal Justice Theft and Fraud Act, and is alleged to have produced a social welfare card in the name of the deceased man in an attempt to withdraw a pension of an amount of €246.

Haughney made no reply to either charge. The court heard the man is currently unemployed.

Solicitor Brendan O’Flaherty said there is no application for bail and requested that Haughney be provided methadone treatment on arrival in prison, as he is on a methadone programme but did not receive it yesterday in custody.

Judge Geraldine Carthy directed that he be provided with appropriate medical treatment and granted legal aid, remanding Haughney in custody.

The case will appear again in Carlow next Wednesday where an application for bail is likely.

A second man, who was arrested yesterday in connection with the incident, has been released from custody and a file will be prepared for the DPP.