Three charged with false imprisonment after crash inquiry

THREE more men were charged yesterday with false imprisonment arising from a Garda investigation into a car crash which claimed the lives of two teenagers in Cork city last May.

Thomas Murphy, aged 41, and James Quilligan, aged 23, both with an address on Spriggs Road, Gurranabraher, and Shane Ahern, aged 21, of Churchfield Green, were arrested and brought before Cork District Court where each was charged with false imprisonment of an individual on May 13, 2010, at Hollywood Estate, Blarney Road, Cork, contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

They were all remanded on bail to appear before Cork District Court again next week for the service of documents. Yesterday’s development follows a decision from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) that another man be tried by judge and jury on charges of dangerous driving causing the deaths of two teenagers and falsely imprisoning a third teenager.

Philip Murphy, aged 40, from Killala Gardens in Knocknaheeny, Cork, faces a charge of dangerous driving causing the deaths of CJ Dolan, aged 16, and Derry O’Callaghan, aged 19, at Harbour View Road in Knocknaheeny on May 14 last. He also faces charges of drink-driving, driving without insurance and driving without a licence on the same occasion. And he has also been charged with the false imprisonment of an individual at Hollywood Estate, Blarney Road, Cork, on May 13, 2010, contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Cork District Court was told earlier this week that the DPP has directed that Murphy be tried on indictment on the dangerous driving causing death and the false imprisonment charges. He has been remanded in custody at Limerick Prison for two weeks to allow for service of documents.

He is due to appear again at Cork District Court on August 18. Gardaí had opposed bail because of concerns his release would lead to tensions in the area.