Limerick man (32) pleads guilty to four murders

A man has pleaded guilty to the murder of two women and two children in Co Limerick in 2010.

John Geary (32), Meadow Court, Newcastle West, Co Limerick, originally from Milford, Co Cork, admitted to killing his former partner Sarah Hines (25) and their five-month-old daughter Amy Hines at a house in Hazelgrove, Gortboy, Newcastle West, on or about November 15th, 2010.

He also admitted to killing Ms Hines's three-year- old-son Reece Hines and her friend Alicia Brough (20). All four victims were stabbed to death.

Mr Geary, in jeans and shirt, remained seated while the charges were read against him, calmly pleading guilty to each one in turn.Mr Justice Paul Carney remanded him in custody for sentencing on July 8th and he was removed from the court.

Outside, relatives of the victims hugged each other and cried before leaving the building.