Pair charged in connection with Limerick stabbing refused bail
Two men charged in connection with the death of Shane Murphy have been refused bail at Limerick District Court today.
Mr Murphy, 30, was found dead on April 30, in a house in the village of Pallasgreen, Co Limerick, after he was "stabbed 23 times in a frenzied and sustained attack", the court heard today.
During an application for bail on behalf of Ger Hogan (aged 32) of Raheen Square, Ballinacura Weston, Limerick District Court heard those who allegedly stabbed Mr Murphy "returned a second time and inflicted further stab wounds" to his body.
Gardaí said detailed witness statements have been taken from a number of people who were allegedly in the house at the time Mr Murphy died.
Two weapons allegedly used in the stabbing have been recovered and are being examined at the Garda Forensic Science Laboratory in Dublin.
Detective Garda Michael Reidy, of Bruff Garda Staton, said that Mr Murphy had been "the victim of a sustained attack in a frenzied manner".
Mr Hogan and Dylan Hayes (aged 20) of The Crescent, Kilteragh, Dooradoyle, are both charged with assault causing harm to Mr Murphy. Both men are also charged with producing a knife during the course of the assault.
"The post mortem findings, carried out by the State Pathologist Marie Cassidy, were that there were 23 stab wounds on the body of the victim, and that a number of them could have proved fatal," Detective Garda Reidy told the court.
"It will be further alleged (both accused men), returned on a second occasion and inflicted further stab wounds."
Detective Garda Reidy said armed Gardaí were on the scene within10 minutes and that Ger Hogan was found in an upstairs bedroom at the house.
Detective Garda Reidy said, "it is anticipated further serious charges will be preferred in the case, and that, "it is anticipated matters will proceed at a higher level."
Solicitor John Devane said Mr Hogan was found, having lost a lot of blood, in an upstairs part of the house.
Mr Devane said Mr Hogan had lost blood, due to a hand injury after he "pulled a knife away from another person to protect somebody else".
The court heard the injury needed to be examined by a consultant plastic surgeon in Cork.
Gardaí said they objected to bail, because of the seriousness of the charges, the strength of the alleged evidence, and they allege Mr Hogan is likely to intimidate witnesses and commit further serous charges if granted bail.
Judge Timothy Lucey said he was satisfied the State had proven their case that both men should not be granted bail.
He remanded both men to Limerick Prison to appear in court again on May 19 via video link, for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
