Dramatic end to Limerick man's trial

The trial of a Limerick man for the murder of Eddie Ryan Snr ended dramatically today when the accused pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Mrs Mary Ryan, widow of the dead man, was in the Central Criminal Court when Mr Paul Coffey changed his plea of not guilty to murder but guilty of the manslaughter of her husband.

Eddie Ryan was shot 11 times by two gunman who burst into the Moose Bar in Limerick in November 2000.

Expressing disappointment at today's outcome, Mary Ryan said she hoped all those involved in the killing would be brought to justice.

"The women and men that he [Coffey] named in the statement" are still walking around freely, she added.

When the trial resumed today, the court heard that the DPP had accepted a manslaughter plea.

The formal re-arraignment was adjourned briefly to allow Mary Ryan, who was travelling from Limerick, time to reach the court.

Mr Justice Abbott rejected a defence application for Paul Coffey to be remanded on continuing bail.

He said it would be "entirely inappropriate" for him to return to Limerick on bail given the "group tensions" in Limerick and the "fraught" background to the case.

He added that to do so "would place the law in a position of low regard with people who have awaited a decisive outcome of these proceedings".

Mr Justice Abbott remanded him custody for sentencing on October 17 next.

He also agreed to a psychological assessment reports after defence counsel Mr Blaise O'Carroll SC submitted that the accused has a low IQ.

The trial had heard that Paul Coffey (aged 26) whose last address was Craeval Park, Moyross, was the getaway driver for two gunmen who burst into the Moose Bar on Limerick's Cathedral Street at 10pm on November 12, 2000 and fired 11 shots into 41-year-old Eddie Ryan.

In an interview, Coffey, a father of two, allegedly named the late Kieran Keane as one of the gunmen.

He also named the second gunman, along with a number of others allegedly involved.

Neither man was ever charged with the murder.

Thanking the jury, Mr Justice Abbott released them for further service for 10 years.

The court also made a recommendation that Mr Coffey be committed to Limerick Prison to allow him to be near his family.