A MAN was acquitted by a jury of a charge of demanding “protection money” from the foreman of a shopping centre demolition site in Limerick.
Timmy Casey (38), of Clonlong, Southill, Limerick, was found not guilty by a jury of six men and six women following his trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
What the jury was not told was that Mr Casey, represented by barrister Amy Nix, and instructed by solicitor Sarah Ryan, had previously gone on trial on the same charge in April 2024, but the trial collapsed before it could get underway properly.
Mr Casey was accused of one count of demanding money with menaces from construction site foreman, Michael Green, at or near a demolition site at Parkway Valley/Horizon Mall Shopping Centre, Dublin Road, Limerick.
Casey was alleged, along with his late brother Terry Casey, to have sought the “payment of protection money” from Mr Green “with a view to making a gain for himself or Terry Casey or with intent to cause loss to another … in order to avoid damage to machinery or theft at the site”.
The offence, which is contrary to Section 17 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, was alleged to have occurred on November 12, 2019.
The trial heard that a number of unfinished buildings on the site of the proposed Parkway Valley/Horizon Mall Shopping Centre were to be demolished by the Shannon Valley Group.
The prosecution had claimed that, on the day in question at around 4pm, Timmy Casey approached Mr Green and made an unwarranted demand for money with menaces.
The prosecution had alleged Timmy Casey demanded the monies in order to prevent damage or loss to machinery on the site.
The jury told trial judge Colin Daly that they could not reach a unanimous decision.
The judge directed the jury that they could reach a verdict “by which at least 10 of you agree”, and later on the jury returned a not guilty verdict by a 10-2 majority.
Judge Daly thanked the jury for their time and efforts, telling Casey: “You are free to go.”
Mr Casey, looking visibly relieved, clasped his hands together before embracing loved ones in the court after the verdict was delivered.
