Defence finishes summing up in Keane murder trial

A defence laywer acting for one of five Limerick men accused of murdering Kieran Keane told the jury today that there is no “external evidence” linking his client to Mr Keane or any of the key scenes.

Continuing his summing up in the Central Criminal Court on behalf of James McCarthy, John Edwards SC asked the jury to consider the possibility that the chief prosecution witness, Owen Treacy “may have been involved in what happened to Kieran Keane”.

Counsel told the jurors that if they were satisfied Mr Treacy was telling the truth, then they must convict. However, if they were “somewhere in between” in that Owen Treacy was “probably lying but possibly telling the truth, you have a doubt. “In that case," counsel continued, “you have only one option - to acquit."

"Equally," he said, "if they believed Mr Treacy was possibly telling the truth but probably lying, their duty is to acquit.

“Suspicion is not enough, you must be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt,” he added.

The court will hear a closing speech by Bredan Nix SC on behalf of the fifth accused, Christopher “Smokie” Costelloe following which Mr Justice Paul Carney is expected ro begin his charge to the jury.

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, Limerick; Anthony “Noddy” McCarthy (aged 21) of Fairgreen, Garryowen; Christopher “Smokie” Costelloe (aged 20) of Moylish Avenue, Ballynanty Beg and James McCarthy (aged 24) of Delmege Park, Moyross.

The trial continues.