Murder accused: ‘I am guilty’ of journalist’s killing

A 34-year-old man accused of killing a Dublin journalist told gardai “I am guilty” when charged with murder.

Saverio Bellante appeared this morning in Blanchardstown District Court in Dublin.

Bellante, from Palermo in Sicily and an address at Beechpark Avenue, Castleknock, Dublin is accused of murdering Tom O’Gorman sometime between Saturday night and the early hours of Sunday morning.

It is understood O'Gorman suffered multiple stab wounds.

Detective Sergeant Pat Trainer told the court that when he cautioned the accused at Blanchardstown Garda station, Bellante replied: “I am guilty."

Bellante told judge David McHugh that he intends representing himself.

When questioned by McHugh, Bellante, who spoke in a strong Italian accent said: "I was asked if I wanted to represent myself and the answer is yes."

McHugh ordered that Bellante, who was wearing a black jumper and black trousers, should receive medical attention while in custody.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on January 17.

Bellante could not apply for bail during the brief hearing as bail applications can only be heard at High Court level which sits at Cloverhill on Friday.

Bellante was arrested at the scene at Beechpark Avenue, Castlenock, Dublin at approximately 1.50am yesterday.

It is understood the Director of Public Prosecutions now has 42 days to supply Bellante with the Book of Evidence from the investigation before the case is sent to the Central Criminal Court.

O’Gorman (pictured above: Credit Facebook) previously worked as a journalist with The Voice Today newspaper in Dublin before taking a job with the Iona Institute think-tank. He was also a regular contributor to the Irish Catholic newspaper.

He is survived by his sister Catherine and brother Paul.

O’Gorman’s boss at the Iona Institute David Quinn, who is also the Irish Independent’s religious affairs correspondent said: “Tom had worked with me at the Iona Institute since its launch seven years ago this month.

“He worked as a researcher and he also maintained and kept the website up-to-date.”

Quinn said: “He had an off-beat sense of humour and was a fantastic mimic, something he inherited from his dad, I am told. He loved to entertain his friends with his mimicry.”

Quinn revealed that O’Gorman’s first love was rugby while his second love was Liverpool football club.

“How he would have enjoyed Liverpool’s roller-coaster game with Stoke yesterday, especially as the result went the right way.

“Over any given lunch, the two of us would talk about the weekend’s results and about the games coming up.

“I will miss him greatly and feel the loss every time I remember all the conversations we might have had about last night’s game, and now never will.”