Posted by 32-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a prominent Co Donegal businessman.
The accused is Michael Maloney, with an address at Loughross Point in Ard an Rátha.
He is charged with the murder of Stephen McCahill, who was found dead following an assault at his home outside the town early yesterday.
The married father-of-two, in his 60s, was a well-known businessman and community activist.
Letterkenny District Court was told that the accused had been formally arrested at Ballyshannon Garda Station this afternoon, where the single charge of murder was put to him.
Garda Patrick Kelly said he had made no reply.
Defence solicitor Mark Mullaney asked the court that his client be afforded all the necessary medical and psychiatric treatment.
The accused was remanded in custody to Castlerea Prison to appear in Letterkenny District Court by video link again next week.
Tributes were paid today to Mr McCahill, who was described as a huge part of the community of Ard an Rátha.
People attending mass in the village this morning described their deep sense of shock at his death.
Among those who also paid tribute was singer Imelda May, who had been in in his company as recently as last weekend.
She said she was “heartbroken” and described Mr McCahill as the “glue” for the whole community of Ard an Rátha.
Ms May said that Mr McCahill was a special man who encouraged live music and joy at his pub.
Locals have been leaving flowers at the family pub in the centre of the village.
Mr McCahill was named as Donegal Person of the Year in 2016.
He stood as an Independent candidate in Donegal South West in the 2011 general election.
Parish priest of Ard an Rátha, Fr Aodhan Cannon, described the mood of the community.
“Words just can’t describe the situation here at the moment, it’s just awful. People are stunned, shocked and carrying a terrible grief,” he said.
“There’s a line in the prophet Isaiah to say there’s a mourning veil covering all people, and there’s certainly a mourning veil covering this parish today and this wider community as well, because of Stephen’s untimely death.”
Donegal TD Pat the Cope Gallagher, who has known Mr McCahill for 40 years, said he had been “central to all that happened” in the village and further afield.
The funeral mass for Mr McCahill will be held in the Church of the Holy Family, Ard an Rátha, at 12pm on Saturday, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
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