No bail for man accused of murder in Youghal stabbing

The accused Reece Keogh is to receive a medical and psychiatric assessment at Cork Prison

Reece Keogh. Picture: Larry Cummins

A man has been remanded in custody after he was charged on Wednesday with the murder of a man in East Cork on Monday.

Reece Keogh, aged 29, with an address at an apartment at 140 North Main Street in Youghal, Co Cork, was brought before Midleton District Court on Wednesday morning where he was charged with the murder of Daniel O’Sullivan at Tynan’s Bar, 147 North Main Street, Youghal, on Monday, April 14, contrary to common law.

The accused, who wore black trainers, a grey tracksuit pants, and a light mustard coloured round-necked jumper, did not speak during the brief court hearing.

Detective Garda John O’Donovan gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. He said he arrested Mr Keogh at Midleton Garda Station at 3.06am on Wednesday morning for the purpose of charging him, and that he charged him at 3.25am as set out on the charge sheet.

He told Judge Miriam Walsh that when the charge was put to Mr Keogh, he replied ‘not guilty’. The issue of bail in a murder charge does not arise in the district court and Judge Walsh remanded the accused in custody to appear by video link, by consent, at Fermoy district Court next Wednesday, April 23.

Mr Keogh‘s solicitor, Joseph Cuddigan, said his client was in receipt of long-term social welfare payments and he applied for, and was granted, free legal aid.

He also asked the court that the authorities at Cork Prison be made aware that his client was a “vulnerable person” and that the psychiatric services of the prison be made aware of that.

Judge Walsh noted the matter and directed that Mr Keogh would receive a medical and psychiatric assessment at Cork Prison and would receive whatever medical attention would be required.

Mr O’Sullivan, who was originally from Mallow but who had been living in Youghal for several months, died in Cork University Hospital on Monday night a short time after he was injured during an incident on North Main Street in Youghal.

He led a troubled life, struggling with addiction and homelessness for most of his adult life, and was jailed in 2016 for manslaughter. A court was told in 2021 that he had great potential if he could address his addiction issues but he did not avail of offers of help.

Dan O'Sullivan was originally from Mallow but had been living in Youghal for several months. He died in Cork University Hospital on Monday night a short time after he was injured during an incident on North Main Street in Youghal.

In 2016, he pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to the manslaughter of French man, Vincent Morgain, aged 34, on Lower Oliver Plunkett St in Cork on September 15, 2015.

He was sentenced to eight years for manslaughter with the last three years suspended on conditions that included compliance with the probation service. However, in 2021, part of that suspension was revoked and he was sent back to prison for one year for failing to comply with the probation service.

Judge Helen Boyle said at the time that Mr O’Sullivan was fortunate to have such a dedicated probation officer, who described him as a young man “with great potential”, but who needed to address his heroin addiction and related issues in order to realise that potential.

However, last July the probation officer encountered him begging on the street in Waterford where he was clearly struggling with addiction and homelessness. The court heard that he did not take up her offer to attend with her at the probation service to address his issues.