Ireland Book of evidence awaited in Ardara murder case
Stephen McCahill, a 66-year-old Ardara businessman, was killed at his home at Beagh, Ardara, in the early hours of 5 January 2026. Michael Maloney, a 32-year-old man from Loughros Point, Ardara, who is a relation of McCahill by marriage, was arrested shortly after the killing and charged with murder at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court. On 27 April 2026 the DPP consented to his being sent for trial to the Central Criminal Court, and the case was adjourned to 25 May for a book of evidence. At the most recent hearing on 25 May 2026, the court heard that the book of evidence is still awaited, and Maloney was remanded for four weeks by consent.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court27 Apr
3 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Michael Maloney is charged with the murder of Stephen McCahill, 66, an Ardara businessman.
- Where
- The killing is alleged to have taken place at McCahill's home at Beagh, Ardara.
- When
- The killing is alleged to have happened in the early hours of 5 January 2026.
- Other details
- Maloney, a 32-year-old man from Loughros Point, Ardara, is a relation of McCahill by marriage.
- Maloney has been in custody in Castlerea Prison since his January court appearance.
- Charges
- Maloney was arrested shortly after the killing and charged with murder at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court.
- The charge is contrary to common law and Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1964.
- In court
- On 27 April 2026 Maloney appeared by video link from Castlerea Prison, and the DPP consented to his being sent for trial to the Central Criminal Court.
- Gardaí sought a four-week adjournment to allow a book of evidence to be prepared, and Judge Emile Daly adjourned the case to 25 May.
- On 25 May 2026 Letterkenny District Court heard that the book of evidence is still awaited.
- Maloney was remanded for four weeks by consent on 25 May 2026.
26 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMichael Maloney is charged with the murder of Stephen McCahill. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe killing took place at McCahill's home at Beagh, Ardara. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe killing happened at McCahill's home at Beagh, Ardara. (rte.ie)
- whereThe killing is alleged to have happened at McCahill's home at Beagh, Ardara. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe killing happened in the early hours of 5 January. (rte.ie)
- whenThe killing is alleged to have happened in the early hours of 5 January 2026. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeMaloney is charged with the murder of Stephen McCahill. (donegallive.ie, rte.ie)
- chargeMaloney was arrested shortly after the killing and charged with murder at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeThe charge states that Maloney murdered McCahill at Beagh, Ardara, on 5 January. (rte.ie)
- chargeThe charge is under common law and Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1964. (rte.ie)
- courtMaloney appeared at Letterkenny District Court by video link from Castlerea Prison. (donegallive.ie)
- courtGardaí said the DPP has consented to Maloney being sent for trial to the Central Criminal Court. (donegallive.ie)
- courtSergeant Collins sought a four-week remand to allow service of a book of evidence. (donegallive.ie)
- courtJudge Emile Daly adjourned the case to May 25. (donegallive.ie)
- courtMaloney appeared by video link at Letterkenny District Court. (rte.ie)
- courtThe DPP consented to the charges being sent forward to the Central Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
- courtGardaí asked for a four-week adjournment to prepare a book of evidence. (rte.ie)
- courtJudge Emile Daly adjourned the case until 25 May for a book of evidence. (rte.ie)
- courtLetterkenny District Court heard that the book of evidence is still awaited. (donegallive.ie)
- courtSergeant Jim Collins told the court the book of evidence remains outstanding. (donegallive.ie)
- courtMaloney's solicitor confirmed consent to a four-week remand. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe DPP has consented to Maloney being sent for trial to the Central Criminal Court. (donegallive.ie)
- courtMaloney appeared by video link from Castlerea Prison. (donegallive.ie)
- otherMaloney has been in custody in Castlerea Prison since his January court appearance. (donegallive.ie)
- otherMaloney is a relation of McCahill by marriage and is from Loughros Point in Ardara. (rte.ie)
- otherMaloney has been in custody in Castlerea Prison since the January court appearance. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 25 May2026Book of evidence awaited for Ardara murder accused
Court report: the book of evidence is still outstanding, Maloney has been remanded for four weeks by consent, and the DPP has consented to trial at the Central Criminal Court. Maloney appeared by video link from Castlerea Prison.
accused, Michael Maloney, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Maloneyvictim, Stephen McCahill, 66, male, irish (judged from name)Stephen McCahill - 27 Apr2026Man sent for trial over murder of Donegal businessman
Maloney appeared by video link at Letterkenny District Court, the DPP consented to the charges being sent forward to the Central Criminal Court, and the case was adjourned to 25 May for a book of evidence.
victim, Stephen McCahill, 66, male, irish (judged from name)Stephen McCahillaccused, Michael Maloney, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Maloney - 27 Apr2026Ardara murder accused to face Central Criminal Court trial
Reports that the DPP has consented to Maloney being sent for trial to the Central Criminal Court, that Sergeant Collins sought a four-week remand for a book of evidence, and that Judge Emile Daly adjourned the case to May 25.
accused, Michael Maloney, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Maloneyvictim, Stephen McCahill, 66, male, irish (judged from name)Stephen McCahill