A few dark minutes that changed a family forever

The niece of the Limerick bachelor who collapsed and died after he went to confront two burglars in his quiet rural home described how a few dark minutes on a beautiful day changed the lives of her family forever.

The death of John O’Donoghue, aged 62, on August 27, 2015, outside his home near Doon, Co Limerick, sparked national outrage.

Two cousins, David Casey, aged 21, from Coolock, Dublin, and Michael Casey, aged 33, from Clonlong halting site, Limerick, pleaded guilty to the burglary — details of which were heard yesterday at Limerick Circuit Court.