Directions of DPP awaited in Southill murder

THE State and An Garda Siochana run the risk of having the murder case against two accused men struck out should they fail to provide Limerick District Court with the directions and a book of evidence from the DPP in the matter relating to the murder of two people in Southill last January. Patrick O’Brien, aged 31, of Glanntán, Golf Links Road, Castletroy, and 27-year-old Thomas Stewart of The Cedars, Briarfield, Castletroy, are both charged with the murders of 28-year-old Breda Waters and 24-year-old Des Kelly, who were shot dead in O’Malley Park, Southill, on January 9 last.

Appearing separately via video link, both had been previously denied bail and are awaiting the directions of the DPP.
Sarah Ryan, solicitor for Patrick O’Brien, told the court that her client could not consent to the four week adjournment sought by the State in the matter as both she and the court were told that the DPP had the file and that the directions were to have been furnished at the last sitting.
Inspector Seamus Nolan made an application to the court to remand both men in custody for one month, but Ms Ryan said that her client would only consent to a two-week remand.
He noted that there was a huge garda involvement in the investigation that was taking up “time and resources”.
Darrach McCarthy, solicitor for co-accused, Thomas Stewart, said his client would agree to the one month remand, but noted that the case be marked peremptory
Both men appeared via video link from Cloverhill Prison where they are being held, having failed to secure bail at the High Court.
The two men are to appear on April 27 next via video link.