Courts / Dublin / Report

Sicilian charged with murder of Tom O'Gorman absent from court hearing

Date
2014-01-17

Stage
Charge Or Pretrial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

An Italian man, Saverio Bellante, aged 34, was charged with the murder of Tom O'Gorman, a pro‑life campaigner and writer, at O'Gorman's home in Castleknock. Bellante was arrested after O'Gorman was found stabbed to death on 11‑12 January. At his first court appearance, Bellante declined a lawyer and later stated he would represent himself. Judge Victor Blake remanded him in custody and adjourned the case for two weeks, until 31 January, after Bellante's lawyer presented a letter from Dr Paul O'Connell of the Central Mental Hospital. The court ordered that medical assessment be made and that investigative memos and video evidence be disclosed to the defence. Bellante's lawyer requested legal aid and complained that media coverage had breached the sub‑judice rule. The case remains pending.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Sicilian charged with murder of Tom O'Gorman absent from court hearing. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

January 31 Adjournment
January 11 Adjournment
2014-01-17 Publication

Case subjects

Saverio Bellante

Defendant

Outcome: He was furnished with a letter from Dr Paul O'Connell at the Central Mental Hospital and adjourned the case for two weeks, until January 31, while gardai are preparing their investigation file.

Tom O'Gorman

Defendant

Outcome: Judge Victor Blake further remanded him in his absence after he was told that 34-year-old Saverio Bellante would not be present for his hearing at Cloverhill District Court.