TWO brothers previously remanded in custody due to the very serious nature of charges against them, have been further remanded in custody at Limerick Prison for two weeks as the directions of the DPP are awaited.
Kieran and Damien Collopy were previously denied bail and remanded in custody following their detention earlier this month on alleged threats to kill a third man at St Senan’s Street in St Mary’s Park, on April 14 last.
Inspector Seamus Ruane told the court that the file was with the DPP, but the State did not have directions yet. They sought a two week adjournment to finalise matters with the DPP.
Solicitor for both men, Ted McCarthy, said he was making an application to have the case against both “struck out” due to the delays by the State. However, when that was refused, Mr McCarthy said his clients would consent to two weeks in custody, but would urge the State to deal with matters “speedily”. He added an appeal was before the High Court relating to the denial of bail for his clients and that would be heard this week.
Gardai had objected to bail due to the seriousness of the charges, with Garda Colum O’Shea, saying that there was huge strength in the evidence supporting the charge as gardai were in possession of footage from three CCTV cameras, with one including audio evidence, which was most unusual to capture on tape, but strongly supports the garda case.
Kieran Collopy, aged 34, and Damien Collopy, aged 20, both of St Ita’s Street, St Mary’s Park, are charged with threatening to kill and trespass, with Kieran Collopy charged with assault causing harm.
Limerick District Court had previously heard a lengthy bail application made by Ted McCarthy, solicitor, that lasted over one and half hours, with Judge Tom O’Donnell hearing that the gardai believed Kieran Collopy to be a “flight risk,” as he had access to an address in Spain, and admitted to spending time there in the past.
Appearing via video link from Limerick Prison, both men said little during the proceedings, only to acknowledge they could see and hear the court, as well as state their names for the record.
Judge O’Donnell, on making the order for the two to be returned to court on June 10 next, said that the two “were in custody since April 19 last,” and that he was “anxious for the directions of the DPP to be furnished to the court”. He also said that he would mark “time running” in the matter, thus urging the State to have the directions of the DPP for the next sitting.
He ordered that the two men appear before Limerick District Court on June 10 next at 10am via video link, and remanded them in continuing custody.
