A man has been charged with the manslaughter of Alan Bourke, who died after being found with serious head injuries in Limerick city in April.
Michael Casey (39), with an address at Cathedral Place, Limerick, was arrested, charged and brought before Limerick District Court on Wednesday morning in connection with the April 15th incident.
Paramedics treated Mr Bourke, (48), originally from St Mary’s Park, Limerick, after they were called to the scene on Parnell Street at around 10.25pm. However, he was brought to University Hospital Limerick and pronounced dead a short time later.
Garda Dean Landers, of Roxboro Road Garda station, told the court that Mr Casey “made no reply” when he charged him with manslaughter. Garda Landers told Judge Marie Keane that the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed that Mr Casey is to face a “trial on indictment”.
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He indicated that he would be objecting to bail but Mr Casey’s solicitor told the court his client was not seeking bail.
Mr Casey, who is unemployed, was granted free legal aid. He had appeared before a special sitting of Ennis District Court on April 24th charged with assault causing harm to Mr Bourke at Parnell Street on the night of his death. This charge was withdrawn by the State on Wednesday in light of the manslaughter charge.
Mr Casey is also charged with robbing Mr Bourke of cans of alcohol valued at €10 at the same location on the same date.
He was remanded in custody to appear before the court again on August 24th to hear further directions.
Another man, Mark Ryan, (35), of Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, Limerick, was charged on April 23rd with robbing Mr Bourke of cans of alcohol valued at €10 and a pedal cycle valued at €150 at Parnell Street on April 15th.
Mr Bourke’s funeral, held at St Mary’s Church, Athlunkard, heard he had led a “great sporting life”, playing soccer for the Republic of Ireland at junior level and lining out for the Irish under-18 rugby team.
The former tool hire company manager also won a Munster Junior Cup for Mungret Regional FC, appeared in a FAI Junior Cup Final and played for the St Mary’s and Shannon rugby clubs.