‘NOT GUILTY’ | 

Nigel Canavan (38) appears in court charged with murder of his mother in Sligo

Ms Canavan, who was aged in her 50s, was found dead at her home in St John’s Terrace, Sligo on May 1, 2023.

Eavan Murray

Today at 11:43

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of his mother in Sligo last May.

Nigel Canavan, (38) of Erris Gardens, Crossmolina, Co Mayo, appeared before Carrick-on-Shannon District Court this morning charged with the murder of Angela Canavan.

Ms Canavan, who was aged in her 50s, was found dead at her home in St John’s Terrace, Sligo on May 1, 2023.

Nigel Canavan appeared before Judge Michael Connellan this morning.

Detective Garda Eamon McDonnell gave evidence of the arrest of the accused at his home in Crossmolina yesterday at 4.10pm.

Canavan was brought to Sligo Garda Station and formally charged and cautioned at 5.49pm.

The court heard the accused replied, “Not guilty” when the charge was put to him.

Mr Canavan, dressed in a navy jumper and wine chinos did not address the court during the short hearing.

Det Garda McDonnell told the court he DPP’s directions were the charge was an indictable offence of murder and directed the accused be tried at the Central Criminal Court.

Inspector Melissa Martin made an application to the court to remand the accused in custody to Castlerea prison to appear via video link before Sligo District Court this Thursday January 18.

Judge Connellan granted the application and remanded Canavan in custody.

The judge also granted an application for legal aid by defence solicitor Mr John Anderson.

There was no application made for bail.

Mother-of-two and grandmother Ms Canavan was originally from Mayo but had been living alone at St John’s Terrace in Sligo town for the previous six or seven years.

Her body was discovered at her home shortly after 8.30pm on Monday May 1, 2023.