An illegal moneylender shot and then beaten to death in Limerick four years ago was murdered by his house-mate, then an 18-year-old youth, a prosecution lawyer alleged yesterday.
In the trial before Mr Justice Quirke in the Central Criminal Court, Mr Noel Kelly (22) denies the murder of Mr John Keane (26), at O'Malley Park, Limerick, on July 5th, 1996. Mr Kelly also denies unlawfully and maliciously causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and possession of a single-barreled shotgun with intent to endanger life.
The court heard that Mr Keane had moved in with the accused to a bungalow in O'Malley Park in February 1996.
Opening the case for the prosecution, Mr Michael Durack SC said
Mr Kelly met another man implicated in the murder and arranged to meet him later that night. Mr Kelly had left the front door of his house open to facilitate entry, the prosecution alleges.
The case continues today.