Three appear for 'collective amnesia' in Limerick court
Three people have appeared before Limerick District Court charged in connection with the collapse of a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court in 2003.
The trial of Liam Keane at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin collapsed after a number of key witnesses denied making statements identifying Mr Keane as the killer of 19-year-old Eric Leamy in August 2001.
Appearing before Judge Tom O’Donnell this morning were Roy Behan (aged 25) of St Senan's Street, St Mary's Park; David Murphy (aged 22) of the Lee Estate, and Amanda McNamara (aged 22) formerly of the Lee Estate, all in Limerick.
Roy Behan is accused of committing perjury while under oath as a witness in the trial of Liam Keane on November 3, 2003, by "knowingly and falsely swearing" that he did not see a row which led to the death of Eric Leamy.
Amanda McNamara is charged with committing perjury on October 30, 2003, in the same trial by "knowingly and falsely swearing" that she did not know where she was when Eric Leamy was killed.
David Murphy is accused of contempt of court by "refusing to give evidence" in the same trial on October 30, 2003, at the Central Criminal Court.
Gardaí who gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution, said none of the three accused made any reply when they were charged following their arrests at various locations in Limerick this morning.
There was no objection to bail and Judge Tom O’Donnell remanded all three in custody with consent to bail on their own bond of €250 to appear again before Limerick District Court on July 12 next.
Liam Keane had denied a charge of murdering Eric Leamy at the Lee Estate, Limerick, on August 28, 2001.
He dramatically walked free from the Central Criminal Court after the DPP ordered that a Nolle Prosequi should be entered with his presumption of innocence still intact.
At the time, Mr Justice Paul Carney remarked that it appeared that a number of people were suffering from “collective amnesia” in the case.
