A JURY sworn in to hear the trial of a man accused of demanding “protection money” from the foreman of a major shopping centre demolition site on the outskirts of Limerick City was excused from its duties before the trial got underway this week.
The jury was excused after an issue of legal argument arose.
Timothy (Timmy) Casey (37), with an address at Clonlong, Southill, Limerick City, who is accused of one count of demanding money with menaces from Michael Green at or near the demolition site of the partly-built Parkway Valley shopping centre, Dublin Road, Limerick, was remanded in continuing custody for trial later this month.
Mr Casey is alleged to have, along with his now deceased brother Terry Casey, “with a view to making a gain for himself or Terry Casey, or with intent to cause loss to another, made an unwarranted demand with menaces from Michael Green, the foreman at the said site, for the payment of protection money in order to avoid damage to machinery or theft at the site”.
The offence, contrary to the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, is alleged to have occurred on November 12, 2019.
Timmy Casey, who is being represented by Junior Counsel Amy Nix BL, instructed by solicitor Sarah Ryan, pleaded not guilty to the charge before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on Monday (April 8).
Outlining the alleged facts, prosecution counsel John O’Sullivan BL said that the trial was likely to last one week.
Mr O’Sullivan said the shopping centre development was not completed and a number of structures on the site were to be demolished.
“The Shannon Valley Group was involved in carrying out the demolition works of the shopping centre, also known as the Horizon Valley Shopping Centre,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“The prosecution alleges that, on the 12th of November 2019 at around 4pm, two men approached Michael Green, the site foreman, at or near the demolition site, and it is alleged that the accused, Timmy Casey, acting in agreement with his late brother Terry Casey, made an unwarranted demand with menaces from Michael Green.
“The accused demanded the payment of protection money from Michael Green in order to avoid damage to machinery on site or theft from the site, that is what is alleged.”
A number of witnesses, including Michael Green, who the court heard was an employee with the Shannon Valley Group at the time, are expected to give evidence in the trial.
A jury of eight men and four women sworn in to hear the case was discharged on Monday before the trial properly got underway after a matter of legal argument arose.
Another jury will be selected at a later date to hear the case, which was adjourned to April 22.
