A 19-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with the murder of an Irish Rail worker who was found dead in at his home in Carrick-on-Suir in Co Tipperary on 4 August.

Nathan Hanlon of Castleview, Ballyneale, Carrick-on-Suir appeared before a special sitting of Clonmel District Court this afternoon.

Mr Hanlon was charged with the murder of 49-year-old Ian Walsh at his home in Ravenswood Estate on Cregg Road in Carrick-on-Suir on 2 August. 

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Sergeant Denis Ryan of Clonmel gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.

He said that Mr Hanlon made no reply when the charge was put to him under caution. 

Defence solicitor John Joy said that he wouldn’t be making an application for bail on this occasion as persons facing a murder charge cannot obtain bail at district court level.

He asked that Mr Hanlon be psychologically assessed whilst in custody. Mr Joy also made an application for free legal aid.

Superintendent Niall O’Connell told Judge Miriam Walsh that gardaí were seeking a remand in custody to the next sitting of Clonmel District Court on 26 August. 

Mr Joy asked that Mr Hanlon be produced in person in court on the next occasion rather than appearing by video link. 

Judge Walsh remanded Mr Hanlon in custody to appear before the court in person on 26 August.

Free legal aid was granted and the accused will be psychologically assessed whilst in custody. 

Meanwhile, a cremation service took place for Mr Walsh on 12 August at the Island Crematorium in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.

A postmortem examination carried out by State Pathologist Dr Yvonne McCartney confirmed that he had died by violent means. 

Ian Walsh was a native of Waterford who worked at Carrick-on-Suir train station.

He worked for Iarnrod Éireann for three decades and was also a qualified bus driver.