Trial date set for men linked to two teens’ road deaths

A COMPLICATED trial of six men facing different charges arising out of a series of incidents culminating in the road deaths of two teenagers in Knocknaheeny, Cork, last May has been listed for trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on November 23.

Philip Murphy, aged 40, of 58 Killala Gardens, Knocknaheeny, and James Simms, aged 27, of Adelaide Terrace, Cork, are both accused of dangerous driving on Friday, May 14, on Harbour View Road, causing the death of CJ Dolan, 16, and Derry O’Callaghan, 19. Philip Murphy is additionally charged with false imprisonment of Darren Lenehan on the same date.

James Quilligan, aged 23, of 4 St Martin’s Park, Tralee, Co Kerry; Shane Ahern, aged 21, formally of Willow Bank, Fairhill, Cork; and Thomas Murphy, aged 42, of 23 Spriggs Road, Gurranabraher, Cork, all face the same false imprisonment charge. All three defendants are accused of falsely imprisoning Darren Lenehan at Hollywood Estate, Blarney Road, Cork, on Thursday, May 13, contrary to the Non-fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Another defendant, who was also in court yesterday, John Heaphy, aged 24, of 7 Oak Drive, Classis Lake, Ballincollig, Co Cork, is charged with threatening to damage property.

The particulars of Heaphy’s charge state that on May 13 he threatened Thomas Murphy that he would damage or interfere with property at 23 Spriggs Road in a manner likely to endanger life.