A Limerick man has been charged with intimidating a witness during the Kieran Keane murder trial at the Central Criminal Court at Cloverhill two days ago.
Mr John Dundon (21), Mayorstone Court, Old Cratloe Road, Limerick, is charged with intimidating a witness, Ms Donna Treacy, contrary to Section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act at Cloverhill Court on Thursday last.
He was refused bail and remanded in custody yesterday at Kilmainham District Court.
Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Det Sgt Michael Doyle said he arrested Mr Dundon at Cloverhill at 3.55 p.m. on November 13th.
He was later released but was charged at 12.13 a.m. yesterday by Sgt Michael McCann.
Det Sgt Doyle said he was objecting to bail because the charge was very serious.
"The charge is of a very serious nature. It will be alleged that a witness was intimidated while giving evidence."
He added that he was also objecting to bail because Mr Dundon had previously escaped from lawful custody last year.
Ms Anita Warren, for Mr Dundon, asked Det Sgt Doyle if the witness allegedly intimidated by her client was sitting in the court flanked by armed gardaí and was subject to 24-hour armed Garda protection.
Det Sgt Doyle replied "That's not correct" to both questions.
Ms Warren added that her instructions were that her client was sitting two rows behind the alleged injured party.
Det Sgt Doyle told the court that the injured party is the wife of one of the witnesses.
Ms Warren appealed to Judge Patrick Brady to set bail. She added that her client would reside at his home in Limerick with his girlfriend.
Refusing bail, Judge Brady said that it was a very serious charge of intimidating a witness.
He said: "The fact that it involves the intimidation of a witness during a trial in court makes it more serious."
He added he was also refusing bail as Mr Dundon had previously escaped custody.
Judge Brady remanded Mr Dundon in custody to Cloverhill District Court on November 21st next for mention.