Two men appeared in court at the weekend charged in connection with the death of a 25-year-old Limerick man whose badly beaten body was found lying under a bridge.
Thomas Ryan (23), with an address at Shanabooly Road, Ballynanty, Limerick, and Tony O'Brien (23), of Baker Place, Limerick, were appearing on Saturday before a special sitting of Limerick District Court.
Both were charged with assaulting Keith Ryan, causing him harm under Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act on May 25th last at Fernbank, O'Callaghan Strand, Limerick.
The body of Mr Ryan, who had suffered serious head injuries, was found under a bridge in the city centre late last Thursday night on the eve of his 25th birthday.
Gardaí were alerted by a passerby who discovered his body on a walkway at the foot of steps leading down from the Shannon Bridge.
An angry crowd of onlookers heckled both accused and shouted insults as they were brought by gardaí before yesterday's special court hearing.
Garda John Whelan gave evidence to Judge Tom O'Donnell that when he charged Thomas Ryan on Friday at Henry Street Garda station, the accused man had replied, "sound".
Garda Thelma Waters told the court that Tony O'Brien made no reply when he was charged at Mayorstone Garda station with the same offence. Both of the accused remained silent during the brief court hearing.
There was a strong Garda presence in court and gardaí instructed the people who had heckled the accused men to sit in the public gallery well away from both accused.
Solicitor Seán Elder was appointed by the court to represent Thomas Ryan. Ted McCarthy was appointed as Tony O'Brien's solicitor. Gardaí applied to the court to remand both accused in custody until their next hearing.
Judge O'Donnell remanded both accused in custody to appear again before Limerick District Court on Wednesday.
Both men were heckled again by onlookers as they were led away from the court by gardaí.