Limerick teens plead guilty to manslaughter

Three Limerick teenagers, including the son of a murdered Limerick crime boss, have pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of an 18-year-old after a brutal bashing in the city on November 4, 2005.

Joseph Keane of Greenhills Road Garryowen, Limerick, Shane Kelly, of Oliver Plunkett St Mary’s Park and Richard Treacy, of Munchins Street, St Mary’s Park pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Darren Coughlan when they appeared in the Central Criminal Court this morning.

The three were all aged 18 at the time of the killing and had been charged with Darren’s murder.

Dressed in suits standing before Mr Justice Paul Carney they pleaded not guilty to Darren’s murder but guilty to his manslaughter.

The three were remanded in custody for sentencing on July 30.

Keane is the son of murdered crime boss Kieran Keane who was killed in January 2003.

Darren from Pineview Gardens Moyross in Limerick, died in hospital from massive injuries sustained in the attack at Old Cratloe Road on November 4, 2005.