A judge issued a bench warrant yesterday for the arrest of Mr Liam Keane who walked free from the Central Criminal Court in Dublin on Monday when a murder trial collapsed.
The 19-year-old man failed to show at Limerick District Court yesterday where he was due to appear in connection with two public order offences. Judge Tom O'Donnell issued a bench warrant for his arrest after the court heard that the defendant was still in Dublin.
Liam Keane, Singland Gardens, Ballysimon, Limerick, was charged with threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and with being drunk in a public place at the Parkway Shopping Centre, Limerick on October 19th last.
A legal agent for defence solicitor John Devane, Ms Audrey Browne, told the court that she had been advised that both Mr Devane and the defendant were in Dublin.
Mr Keane walked free from a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court after a key prosecution witness denied making statements central to the case. The Director of Public Prosecutions had directed that a nolle prosequi be entered after a prosecution witness, Mr Roy Behan denied making statements identifying Mr Keane as the killer.
Liam Keane had pleaded not guilty to the murder of 19-year-old Mr Eric Leamy at Lee Estate, Limerick, on August 28th 2001.
Meanwhile, there was no response yesterday following a number of visits to the Leamy family home at St Munchin's Street, St Mary's Park. Colleagues of the murder victim's father, Anthony Leamy, who works for Limerick City Council, told reporters yesterday that Mr Leamy wanted to be left alone. Eric Leamy's mother, Geraldine, who was said to be "emotionally distraught" following the collapse of the trial, was being comforted yesterday by relatives and friends. Neighbours were also remaining silent about the events of recent days and dramatic collapse of the murder trial.