Man accused of Anne Shortall murder sent for trial

Accused appeared at Cloverhill District Court where he was served with the book of evidence

A 38-year-old man charged with the murder of Anne Shortall in Co Wicklow in April has been returned for trial.

Roy Webster, with an address at Ashbree, Ashford, Co Wicklow, appeared at Cloverhill District Court, where he was served with a book of evidence.

The 38-year-old was returned for trial to the Central Criminal Court by Judge Alan Mitchell and was further remanded in custody.

Anne Shortall, a mother of three, was last seen alive in Wicklow town on April 3rd last.

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The 47-year-old’s body was discovered on April 7th under a tarpaulin in a shed beside a house a few kilometres outside Killoughter, Co Wicklow.

Serious injuries

Ms Shortall, who lived in an apartment in Wicklow town, had suffered serious injuries.

State pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy carried out a postmortem at St Columcille's Hospital in Loughlinstown in Dublin.

Mr Webster had been arrested in connection with the death and was questioned in Wicklow Garda station, where he was charged with murdering Ms Shortall on April 3rd.

At Mr Webster’s first appearance in Bray District Court on April 9th, Det Sgt Fergus O’Brien gave evidence of the arrest and said Mr Webster made no reply when cautioned and charged.

The District Court had made a recommendation that he be psychologically assessed while on remand in prison.

Due to the nature of the charge, bail can only be considered by the High Court.