Keane murder trial witness refused State protection

The chief prosecution witness in the trial of five Limerick men accused of murdering Kieran Keane refused the opportunity to enter the State Witness Protection Programme, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

The witness, Owen Treacy told the court he felt his home in St Mary’s Park Limerick was the safest place to be.

Cross-examined by Blaise O’Carroll SC, representing Desmond Dundon, Owen Treacy agreed that the offer had been made but he turned it down.

The court heard that Mr Treacy’s wife Donna and their two children would also have been taken into the programme, had the witness accepted it.

Mr Treacy, who has been in the witness box for four days, said: "I turned that offer down straight away, My Lord. I considered it with my family and considered to stay in my own home - I felt that would be the safest.

Mr Treacy is now being cross examined by counsel for the second accused, Anthony “Noddy” McCarthy.

The five accused have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Kieran Keane (aged 36) of Garryowen House, Garryowen, Limerick on 29 January last at Drombana, Bushy Island, Limerick and to falsely imprisoning Mr Keane on the same date.

They also deny the attempted murder of Owen Treacy (aged 31) of St Munchin’s Street, St Mary’s Park, Limerick on 29 January, 2003 at Drombana and to falsely imprisoning him on the same date.

They are: David “Frogs Eyes” Stanners (aged 31) of Pineview Gardens, Moyross; Desmond Dundon (aged 20) of Hyde Road; Anthony “Noddy” McCarthy (aged 21) of Fairgreen, Garryowen; Christopher “Smokie” Costelloe ( aged 20) of Moylish Avenur, Ballynanty Beg and James McCarthy ( aged 24 ) of Delmege Park, Moyross; all Limerick.