THE Cowra grandfather accused of the murder of his two grandchildren, wife and the attempted murder of his daughter, looked restless when he appeared via audio-visual link at Wagga Local Court yesterday.
He rubbed his eyes and looked uncomfortable as he adjusted his seated position in a plastic chair at Junee Correctional Centre.
In the Wagga courtroom, media representatives from across the eastern seaboard occupied every seat in the small public gallery.
Grey stubble has appeared on his face since he first went to court in Deniliquin last Tuesday.
Three charges of murder and one of attempted murder have been brought against the man, whose identity is protected, since his arrest at a motel in Hay on Monday last week.
It is alleged he killed his family – a granddaughter aged five, a grandson aged seven and his wife aged 52 – at his home on Brougham Street in Cowra earlier that day.
Dressed in a baggy green jumper, he did not sit still during yesterday’s brief court appearance. He ran his fingers through his thick grey fringe; he placed his hand on the side of his face.
The public heard him speak in his Irish accent for the first time when he replied to questions asked by Magistrate Anthony Murray.
“Can you hear what I am saying to you Mr (name suppressed),” Mr Murray said.
“I’m a bit hard of heaing, but if you keep your voice in the mid-range I’ll be okay,” the 69-year-old replied.
Police prosecutor Chris Murnane requested a six-week adjournment for police to prepare their brief of evidence, which was granted.
Mr Murray said the case will stay in court at Wagga until it was ready to proceed to a committal hearing in Cowra.
The man’s legal aid lawyer, Wagga local Jim Allen, did not apply for bail and it was formally refused. At the end of proceedings, Mr Murray asked the man if he understood what had happened, to which he replied “yes”.
“Thank you. You may go back to your cell now,” Mr Murray said.
The grey-haired grandfather grimaced in pain as he slowly rose from the chair, which he then pushed back underneath the table.
Police have until August 22 to prepare their evidence ahead of the man’s next court appearance in Wagga on August 25.
Outside the court, Mr Allen confirmed he had received instructions over the phone from his client in the morning but refused to release any details.