Chief murder witness leaves country

The chief witness in a Limerick murder case has left the country temporarily, a court has heard.

Erol Ibrahim with an address at St Patrick’s Road in Limerick was due to appear today before Judge Tom O’Donnell at the city’s district court.

The 18 year-old faced six charges including dangerous driving and public order offences following an alleged incident at Roxboro Road in Limerick on July 15 last.

However, solicitor for the accused, John Devane, told Judge Tom O’Donnell that his client, who was not in court today, was the main witness in a murder trial.

He had left the country temporarily with the consent of local gardaí, Mr Devane told the court.

Inspector Tom Kennedy applied to adjourn the matter for two weeks but the accused man’s solicitor said it might be appropriate to seek a longer adjournment “in view of tensions in the city”.

Judge Tom O’Donnell said he was satisfied that gardaí were aware that Mr Ibrahim was not in the jurisdiction and noted that they had not sought a warrant for his arrest.

He adjourned the case to October 11 next at Limerick District Court.