Man charged with four Limerick murders

A 31-year-old man has been charged with the murders of two women and two children in Newcastle West, Co Limerick.

John Geary, with an address at Meadowcourt in the town, said nothing during the special court sitting this afternoon, when he was charged with the murders.

Sarah Hines, her children Reece and Amy, and her friend Alicia Brough were found stabbed to death on Tuesday. It is alleged that Mr Geary murdered the four on Monday.

Around 50 uniformed gardaí backed up by armed units watched as more than 300 people gathered around Newcastle West district court and on the Main Street as John Geary appeared inside court.

The accused had his head shaved and wore a black hoodie and blank pants for the special court sitting. He sat with his head bowed, flanked by two gardaí.

A member of the Hines family shouted insults at the accused as he was led away by gardaí.

He has been remanded in custody to Limerick prison and will appear in court again next Friday.