Criminal back in court after night celebrating killers’ loss of appeal

ONE of Limerick’s most notorious criminals ended up in court yesterday after a night out celebrating the court of appeal rejection of an appeal by the five men convicted of murdering crime boss Kieran Keane.

The murdered man’s nephew, Liam Keane, aged 23, was arrested for being drunk and disorderly in the city centre after a night out drinking with a friend.

Limerick District Court heard yesterday that Keane and Nicholas Lyons, aged 25, of St Ita’s Street, St Mary’s Park, were arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct. The alleged offences happened at around 11.35am yesterday at O’Connell Street, Nicholas Street and Merchants Quay.

They were arrested by Garda David Hennessy and Garda John Monaghan.

When brought to court at about 4.30pm they still looked the worse for wear.

In reply to Judge Tom O’Donnell, their solicitor, John Devane said they had been drinking yesterday but were sober enough for the case to proceed.

However, Judge O’Donnell remanded them in custody to appear in court this morning.

Sources said Keane went on a night of celebration after the killers of his uncle, Kieran Keane, lost their appeal on Wednesday in the court of Criminal Appeal.

Kieran Keane’s killers, Dessie Dundon, David ‘Frog Eyes’ Stanners, James McCarthy, Christopher ‘Smokey’ Costelloe and Anthony ‘Noddy’ McCarthy now face life in jail. Their supporters had to call off a planned street party in Ballinacurra Weston on Wednesday night in anticipation of the five winning their appeal.

Liam Keane hit national headlines in November 2003 when the Eric Leamy murder trial collapsed after six State witness refused to back up their statements in the witness box.

After the trial collapsed, Liam Keane gave the two fingers to photographers outside the court.

He has since been jailed a number of times for public order offences.