Murder trial hears knife found in River Shannon

The jury in the trial of a man accused of killing another man two years ago has heard a knife was found in the River Shannon by a garda sub-aqua team member.

Kevin Coughlan (aged 29), of Avondale Drive, Greystones, Limerick has pleaded not guilty to murdering Francis Greene at Steamboat Quay on a date unknown between November 28 and November 29, 2009.

He has pleaded not guilty to the false imprisonment of Mr Greene between Lower Hartstonge Street and Steamboat Quay in Limerick on November 28, 2009.

Mr Coughlan also pleaded not guilty to assaulting Roy Finn and not guilty to the production of a knife during that alleged assault at Lower Hartstonge Street on November 28, 2009.

The court heard the 47-year-old’s body was found six weeks later on the bank of the River Shannon on farming land at Portrine, Co. Clare on February 5, 2010.

Mr Paddy McCarthy SC prosecuting read a statement to the court of Garda Chris Hayes of the Garda sub-aqua team who said he was searching the River Shannon and located a knife.

Gda Hayes said he then placed the knife in an evidence bag before handing it to Garda Martin McHale.

The trial continues before a jury of 10 men and two women presided over by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy.