A MAN charged with a murder in Limerick last July was refused bail in the High Court yesterday.
Mr Justice Moriarty said the gravity of the alleged offence was enough to counterbalance the degree of risk that the man would not get an early trial.
Opposing bail, Del Sgt John Nagle said he feared Mr Noel Kelly (18), of O'Malley Park, Limerick, would not stand trial because of the weight of evidence against him.
Mr Kelly is one of two people accused of murdering Mr John Keane, also of O'Malley Park, on July 21st last.
The detective also said he believed Mr Kelly would interfere with a large number of witnesses in the case. He also feared that another man also accused of the murder would exercise his influence on Mr Kelly.
Ms Isobel Kennedy, defending, said the father of Mr Kelly's girlfriend was prepared to put up £15,000 as an independent surety.
Ms Pauline Walley, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said that while Mr Kelly had been in custody since July 21st, the book of evidence had been completed and an early trial was anticipated because of the gravity of the alleged crime.
Refusing bail, Mr Justice Moriarty said that even though Mr Kelly had no previous convictions evidence had been given by the detective of him having some criminal associations and having spent a number of years travelling between this State and England.