Liam Keane freed on public order offences

The 19-year-old Limerick man at the centre of a collapsed murder trial walked free from a court again today, after a judge imposed a suspended sentence for two public order offences.

Liam Keane was appearing before Judge Tom O'Donnell at Limerick District Court on foot of a bench warrant issued for his arrest after he failed to appear in court yesterday.

Mr Keane of Singland Gardens, Ballysimon, Limerick, was charged with being intoxicated in a public place and with threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour on October 19 last.

Earlier this week, he walked free from a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court after the case against him dramatically collapsed.

Wearing a navy 'Nike' hooded top, the defendant appeared subdued and remained silent during today's brief court hearing. The court heard that the accused appeared in court by "arrangement" with gardaí following his non-appearance yesterday.

Defence Solicitor, Pat Barriscale, said his client only became aware of the bench warrant issued for his arrest after his mother heard it on local radio yesterday.

There was no intention on Liam Keane's part to ignore the bench warrant and his client had attended by arrangement with gardaí, Mr Barriscale told the court.

Garda Michelle Leahy said the accused was "intoxicated" when he was arrested on October 19 last and later he became "extremely verbally abusive" to other members of the public. Mr Barriscale stressed to the court that the abuse was not directed at gardaí but at other people who were in the garda station after his arrest.

"He has accepted responsibility for his actions and he has some ongoing difficulties when he drinks," said Mr Barriscale. Judge O'Donnell heard that Liam Keane had a number of previous convictions and had recently completed a prison sentence for a similar public order conviction.

Judge O'Donnell convicted Liam Keane on the count of threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and sentenced him to three months in prison.

However, the sentence was suspended on condition that Liam Keane keep the peace for a period of two years. He imposed a fine of €127 on the count of being intoxicated in a public place and warned that, in future, he would not tolerate such behaviour.

Shortly after the court sitting, Mr Keane made his way by the back of the courthouse to a waiting car where he was picked up by family and friends.