At a special sitting of Cavan District Court yesterday evening 19-year-old Conor McElland from Laragh, Castleblayney appeared on the charge of assault causing serious harm – which resulted on the death of a 20 year old Meath man at the special sitting the judge stated that Mr Mc Ellands .attempts to escape from custody were described as "devious" and "pre-meditated"

Gardai and detectives involved in the arrest raised fears that Mr McElland was a flight risk and should not be granted bail. It emerged that the defendant had on two occasions attempted to abscond, one of the times being while he was in custody at Carrickmacross Garda Station.

Gardai told the court that Mr McElland had just been told the victim had died when he made the second attempt to run by claiming to be feeling unwell. Gardai took the defendant outside and gave him water, but at the first opportunity the defendant ran out the Shercock Road.

When asked by Judge Kevin Kilraine, why he tried to abscond, the defendant said he “freaked out” when he realised the seriousness of the incident. He said: “ I freaked out when I found out your man died”.

Superintendent Noel Cunningham said that a file on the case had gone to the DPP and that a further, more serious charge was expected.

Both parents gave evidence, agreeing that they would keep their son under virtual house arrest and that they would try to control him.

Gardai raised concerns that the parents would not be able to do this and it was suggested that they had encountered trouble with him in the past.

Judge Kilraine refused bail on the seriousness of the charge; the likelihood of a further, more serious charge being brought; and because Mr McClelland represented a flight risk.

"He made a serious and devious attempt to escape custody and he did that in a premeditated way after he had learned of the death of the gentleman," the judge noted.

Mr McClelland was remanded to appear before Carrickmacross District Court on Wednesday.