Bail for teen to attend funeral

A TEENAGE first cousin of Limerick criminal Philip Collopy, who died late on Sunday night after accidentally shooting himself in the head, is to be given temporary release from prison to attend the funeral.

An application for compassionate bail for Anthony Earls, 18, was granted by Judge Carroll Moran at the Circuit Criminal Court in Tralee yesterday.

Under the bail conditions, Earls must reside at his father’s house at 42 St Ita’s Street, St Mary’s Park, Limerick, and must obey a curfew on the two days of his bail. He must also present himself back to Limerick Prison no later than noon.

The application was made on his behalf by barrister Aoife Coghlan.

Barrister John O’Sullivan, on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions, had no objection to bail being granted, subject to conditions.

He said Earls wanted to attend the funeral as he was Collopy’s first cousin.

Earls is in custody awaiting sentence on a charge of possessing a firearm.