court appearance | 

Doctor charged with manslaughter over female patient’s death in Derry care home

Bulgarian-born Ivan Pepelyashkov has been charged with unlawfully killing the woman

Today at 10:55

A doctor has appeared in court in Co Derry charged with the manslaughter of a female patient in a care home in the city more than five years ago.

Bulgarian-born Ivan Pepelyashkov, whose address was given as Pine House, Bush Road, Antrim, has been charged with unlawfully killing the woman contrary to common law on May 12, 2018.

No details were given about the case at Derry Magistrates’ Court, but it’s believed the alleged incident took place in the Owen Mor residential care home in the Culmore Road area of the city.

The 46-year-old defendant spoke only to confirm he understood the charge and to confirm his name, date of birth and address. He also said he did not wish to say anything in response to the charge after it was put to him by the court clerk.

A solicitor for the Public Prosecution Service submitted there was a prima facie case to answer; there was no contrary submission by a defence barrister.

Describing the case as complicated, District Judge Barney McElholm granted a defence application for senior and junior counsel after the prosecution solicitor confirmed that a senior prosecution barrister had been instructed.

Pepelyashkov was released on bail of £500, to appear before the city’s Crown Court on October 18 for his arraignment.

A representative of the company which owns the Owen Mor Care Centre appeared before the court charged with an offence linked to the patient’s death.

Easteden Limited, of Erganagh Road in Omagh, has been charged with failing to ensure the safety of a non-employee between May 10 and May 14, 2018.

The company representative spoke only to confirm that they understood the charge.

The prosecution solicitor submitted there was a prima facie case to answer; there was no contrary submission from the company’s barrister.

The company’s representative was released on their own bail of £500, also to appear before the Crown Court for their arraignment on October 18.