Courts / Limerick / Report

Limerick murder trial hears from school girls

Summary

During a Limerick murder trial, several unnamed schoolgirls testified in the Central Criminal Court that they heard the Flanagan brothers admit their involvement in the killing of 43‑year‑old Gerard McMahon. The girls, who were in a shopping centre on the evening of 18 January 2012, claimed to have overheard Seán and Ian Flanagan discussing the murder. One girl described the brothers saying they stabbed McMahon and that one had a hatchet while the other had two knives. The testimony was given while the trial was hearing the case against Seán Flanagan (28), Paul Colbert (46) and Ian Flanagan (24). Seán and Paul are charged with murder, and Ian with assisting an offender. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan with a jury of eight women and four men. The State alleges the brothers acted in joint enterprise to attack McMahon outside his cousin's house. The trial continues tomorrow. Ian Flanagan pleaded not guilty. Seán Flanagan pleaded not guilty. Paul Colbert pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Limerick murder trial hears from school girls. Charges or matters: assisting an offender; murder. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• January 18, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 18th Incident
• 2013-11-14 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Manager at global IT firm denies company 'lied' about position of former Irish employee
• High Court refuses to surrender Limerick man wanted for alleged human trafficking in Greece
• Tipperary man admits attempted murder
• Volunteer who said he was sacked for warning Church officials of 'rogue' relic traders can't pursue case, WRC rules
• Appearance of tips machine in cafe that pulled in €5k unexplained, tribunal notes
• 'You've to get the morning after pill': man who was 18 when he raped girl (15) gets seven years

Read the original CNI report