Two 18-year-old men appeared before Limerick District Court yesterday charged with the murder of an 18-year-old man in the city nearly a year ago.
Richard Treacy, St Munchin's Street, St Mary's Park, Limerick, and Shane Kelly, Oliver Plunkett Street, St Mary's Park, are charged with the murder of Darren Coughlan at Old Cratloe Road, Limerick, on November 4th last. The 18-year-old died three days after he suffered serious head injuries in a violent assault near a block of student apartments on the outskirts of Limerick city.
Limerick District Court heard that both men were arrested and charged earlier that morning. Solicitor for Shane Kelly, John Devane, asked Judge Tom O'Donnell to remand his client in custody to Limerick Prison as his mother, Eileen Kelly, wasn't in "good circumstances" following the recent death of her son, Kenneth.
Richard Treacy's solicitor, Pat Barriscale, also requested his client be remanded to Limerick Prison for "safety reasons". Mr Treacy is a younger brother of Owen Treacy, who was the chief State witness in the Kieran Keane murder trial in 2003. Owen Treacy gave key evidence against five men who were later jailed for life for Keane's murder. He was present in court yesterday.
Judge O'Donnell remanded both accused in custody to Limerick Prison until October 5th. Bail would be a matter for the High Court, he said.