The husband of Meg Walsh was last week charged with her murder.

Mr. John O’Brien with an address at 19 Dunavarra, Ballinakill Downs appeared before a special sitting of the District Court on Friday last, the 22nd of June. The 40-year-old bus driver was charged with the murder of Margaret Walsh on a date between the 1st and the 15th of October, 2006 at a place unknown within the state.

During the brief two-minute hearing Garda Inspector John Hunt told Judge William Harnett that he arrested Mr. O’Brien at his home in Ballinakill Downs on the previous night, Thursday the 21st of June at 9.15pm. The accused was then conveyed to Waterford Garda Station where he was charged at 11.03pm.

Ms Finola Cronin, of Dobbyn and McCoy Solicitors, represented Mr. O’Brien in court. Ms Cronin stated that while she could not make an application for bail at the district court she would be applying for bail at a later stage.

When Judge Harnett asked Mr O’Brien if he would be applying for legal aid, Mr O’Brien answered in the affirmative, indicating that he would be seeking to have Ms Cronin assigned as his solicitor. Judge Harnett made note of the application for legal aid.

Mr O’Brien, originally from Tramore, was remanded in custody for one week to appear at the District Court this coming Friday, the 29th of June.

Relatives of Meg Walsh, including her brother James Walsh and her daughter from a previous marriage, Sasha Keating were present for the court hearing, as were members of Mr O’Brien's family.

The disappearance of 35-year-old Meg Walsh last October prompted an extensive search operation throughout Co. Waterford. Her body was recovered two weeks after her disappearance, on the 15th of October from the River Suir. The State Pathologist, Dr. Marie Cassidy carried out a post mortem on the deceased, which indicated that she had suffered severe trauma injuries to the upper body.