Courts / Kildare / Report
Deceased's skull severely fractured after battering, murder trial hears
Summary
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, Seamus Morgan (49) pleaded not guilty to the killing of Laurence Keane (56) on 19 July 2013. The prosecution argued that Keane was badly battered in the head with an iron bar in a lane‑way near St John's Lane, Athy, between 11.30 and 11.45 pm on 18 July 2013, and died the next morning at Naas General Hospital. A post‑mortem found blunt‑force trauma and four skull fractures. Witnesses, including young men on bicycles, testified they saw Morgan assault Keane. DNA evidence linked blood on a pair of Adidas runners found at Morgan's home to Keane's post‑mortem sample. CCTV and other evidence showed Morgan and Keane together that night, and a motive of long‑standing ill‑will was presented. Morgan was arrested on 25 July 2013, rearrested in April 2014, and the trial continues.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Deceased's skull severely fractured after battering, murder trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering Laurence Keane (56) on July 19, 2013; murdering Mr Keane. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- July 19, 2013 Incident
- July 18 2013 Incident
- July 18, 2013 Incident
- July 19 2013 Incident
- July 25 2013 Incident
- April 17 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-01-11 Publication
Why: The court heard they will also hear "evidence of a motive" as there was "long standing ill will" between the two men. Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: murdering Laurence Keane (56) on July 19, 2013; murdering Mr Keane (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- St John's Lane
- Naas General Hospital
- Mr Morgan's house
- and brought to Newbridge Garda Station
- Newbridge
Topics
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