Man charged with Limerick burglary apologises for death

A 32-year-old man told gardaí, “I really am sorry for the death of that man”, after he was charged with a burglary at a house in Co Limerick, during which John O’Donoghue (62) died after discovering intruders at his home.

Michael Casey (32), from Bay 9, Clonlong, Southill, Limerick and his cousin David Casey (20), with an address at Carragh Park, Coolock, Dublin 17, both appeared before a special sitting of Limerick District Court on Saturday.

The men were charged with three burglary offences and one criminal damage offence, allegedly committed at a number of addresses in east Co Limerick on August 27th last, including burgling the home of Mr O’Donoghue at Toomaline, Doon, Co Limerick.

Mr O’Donoghue collapsed and died outside his house shortly before 2pm on the date in question, after he returned home to discover his house had been ransacked by thieves.

A postmortem carried out by the State Pathologist Marie Cassidy on Friday confirmed Mr O’Donoghue suffered a heart attack.

Garda William Collins, of Cappamore Garda station, gave evidence on arresting and formally charging Michael Casey at Henry Street Garda station on Friday night.

The court heard that Mr Casey replied, “I really am sorry for the death of that man”, in response to each of the charges.

Garda Elaine O’Donovan, of Bruff Garda station, gave evidence on arresting and formally charging David Casey at Henry Street Garda station on Friday night.

The court heard that he made no reply to any of the charges.

Burglary charges

Both Michael and David Casey are charged with entering Mr O’Donoghue’s home as trespassers and stealing a gold watch valued at €200, and £30 in cash.

They are also charged with stealing €1,000 worth of jewellery from the home of Hester O’Keefe at St Jude’s, Kyle, Cappamore, Co Limerick, and entering the home of Kate Egerton at Portnard, Cappamore, Co Limerick, as trespassers and causing €250 worth of criminal damage to a front door on the same date.

The cousins are also charged with causing €120 worth of criminal damage to the front door of Rodger Danaher’s home in Dromsallagh, Cappamore, Co Limerick, on the date in question.

Solicitor Julie-Ann Kiely was assigned to represent David Casey, while solicitor Sarah Ryan was assigned to represent Michael Casey, whom the court heard is in receipt of social welfare.

Neither of the accused men applied for bail.

Supt Derek Smart sought that both men be remanded in custody to appear before the same court next week.

Judge Marie Keane remanded them in custody to appear before Limerick District Court on Tuesday, September 1st next.