Inquest into fatal assault of former Limerick sports star Alan Bourke set for October
Alan Bourke, (48), of St Mary's Park, Limerick, was fatally assaulted by Michael Casey, (40), of Cathedral Place, at Parnell Street, Limerick City, on 15 April, 2022.
Casey, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter of Mr Bourke, was jailed for six years for the attack.
The inquest has been scheduled at Limerick Coroner's Court on 22 October.
Casey's sentencing hearing heard that he assaulted Mr Bourke after a man in his company stole a bag of cans of alcohol from Mr Bourke, who had tried to get it back off the man.
Limerick Circuit Court heard that paramedics tended to Mr Bourke at the scene, however, he was pronounced dead as he was being brought by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick.
Mr Bourke, a well known former manager at a tool plant, had fallen on hard times due to struggles with alcohol, the court heard.
Formerly a rising soccer star, Mr Bourke won a Munster Junior Cup medal with Mungret Regional FC in 1994 and was capped for the Republic of Ireland junior team in 1996.
His funeral mass heard he had been a top-class sportsman and had excelled at soccer, rugby and handball.
On the night he died, Mr Bourke and a friend left sheltered accommodation in Limerick City to go begging in order to get money to buy alcohol, the court heard.
CCTV footage played at Casey's sentencing hearing showed Mr Bourke walking his bicycle, a suitcase containing clothes and a sleeping bag, as he went to meet up with his friend again.
Mr Bourke had purchased ten cans of beer and was walking near Colbert Rail Station when he was accosted by Casey and others.
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Prosecuting senior counsel, Anne Rowland SC, told the court that Casey struck Mr Bourke with a 'violent and aggressive blow' after another man who was in Casey's company, who was not before the court, had allegedly taken cans and would not give it back.
The CCTV footage played in court showed Mr Bourke falling backwards and his head striking the pavement.
Ms Rowland said Casey and the others 'callously' walked away taking Mr Bourke's belongings as he 'was lying on the ground completely motionless'.
A post-mortem examination report on Mr Bourke's body stated he suffered a brain hemorrhage, fractured skull, as well as bruising to his face and forehead.
The court heard that while Casey was being held in custody following his arrest for the attack on Mr Bourke, he told gardaí: 'It was an accident…I was friends with Alan, we laughed and cried together, I hit him, I was drunk, he was drunk…I'm really sorry, and sorry to his family.'
Mr Bourke's sister, Diane, described him as 'a loving son, father and friend to many' and said her and her family's lives 'changed forever' after his death.
'Alan had the biggest heart and was the apple of his late mother's eye. We try to remember how he lived and not how he died,' she said.
'I avoid Parnell Street at all costs, it is awful to be scared all the time in your own city. I'm not Alan's sister anymore, I'm the girl whose brother was killed.'
Sentencing judge, Dermot Sheehan, said Mr Bourke excelled at sport, but was vulnerable later in his life, and he sadly had been experiencing homelessness around the time of his death.
'It was a significant assault, it was a dispute over a bag of cans,' the judge said.
Michael Casey, was previously jailed after he and his cousin David Casey, (31), Coolock, Dublin, had pleaded guilty to burglaries, including at the home of pensioner bachelor, John O'Donoghue, on 27 August, 2015.
Mr O'Donoghue (62), Toomaline, Doon, Co Limerick, collapsed and died after he came upon the pair who ran off without helping.
In 2018, the Court of Appeal increased Michael Casey and David Casey's sentences for the burglary from three and a half years to seven years with the final eight months suspended after it found their original sentences were unduly lenient.
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The Journal
2 days ago
- The Journal
Inquest into fatal assault of former Limerick sports star Alan Bourke set for October
AN INQUEST INTO the violent death of a father-of-one and former Republic of Ireland youth soccer star in Limerick City three years ago has been scheduled to take place in October. Alan Bourke, (48), of St Mary's Park, Limerick, was fatally assaulted by Michael Casey, (40), of Cathedral Place, at Parnell Street, Limerick City, on 15 April, 2022. Casey, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter of Mr Bourke, was jailed for six years for the attack. The inquest has been scheduled at Limerick Coroner's Court on 22 October. Casey's sentencing hearing heard that he assaulted Mr Bourke after a man in his company stole a bag of cans of alcohol from Mr Bourke, who had tried to get it back off the man. Limerick Circuit Court heard that paramedics tended to Mr Bourke at the scene, however, he was pronounced dead as he was being brought by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick. Mr Bourke, a well known former manager at a tool plant, had fallen on hard times due to struggles with alcohol, the court heard. Formerly a rising soccer star, Mr Bourke won a Munster Junior Cup medal with Mungret Regional FC in 1994 and was capped for the Republic of Ireland junior team in 1996. His funeral mass heard he had been a top-class sportsman and had excelled at soccer, rugby and handball. On the night he died, Mr Bourke and a friend left sheltered accommodation in Limerick City to go begging in order to get money to buy alcohol, the court heard. CCTV footage played at Casey's sentencing hearing showed Mr Bourke walking his bicycle, a suitcase containing clothes and a sleeping bag, as he went to meet up with his friend again. Mr Bourke had purchased ten cans of beer and was walking near Colbert Rail Station when he was accosted by Casey and others. Advertisement Prosecuting senior counsel, Anne Rowland SC, told the court that Casey struck Mr Bourke with a 'violent and aggressive blow' after another man who was in Casey's company, who was not before the court, had allegedly taken cans and would not give it back. The CCTV footage played in court showed Mr Bourke falling backwards and his head striking the pavement. Ms Rowland said Casey and the others 'callously' walked away taking Mr Bourke's belongings as he 'was lying on the ground completely motionless'. A post-mortem examination report on Mr Bourke's body stated he suffered a brain hemorrhage, fractured skull, as well as bruising to his face and forehead. The court heard that while Casey was being held in custody following his arrest for the attack on Mr Bourke, he told gardaí: 'It was an accident…I was friends with Alan, we laughed and cried together, I hit him, I was drunk, he was drunk…I'm really sorry, and sorry to his family.' Mr Bourke's sister, Diane, described him as 'a loving son, father and friend to many' and said her and her family's lives 'changed forever' after his death. 'Alan had the biggest heart and was the apple of his late mother's eye. We try to remember how he lived and not how he died,' she said. 'I avoid Parnell Street at all costs, it is awful to be scared all the time in your own city. I'm not Alan's sister anymore, I'm the girl whose brother was killed.' Sentencing judge, Dermot Sheehan, said Mr Bourke excelled at sport, but was vulnerable later in his life, and he sadly had been experiencing homelessness around the time of his death. 'It was a significant assault, it was a dispute over a bag of cans,' the judge said. Michael Casey, was previously jailed after he and his cousin David Casey, (31), Coolock, Dublin, had pleaded guilty to burglaries, including at the home of pensioner bachelor, John O'Donoghue, on 27 August, 2015. Mr O'Donoghue (62), Toomaline, Doon, Co Limerick, collapsed and died after he came upon the pair who ran off without helping. In 2018, the Court of Appeal increased Michael Casey and David Casey's sentences for the burglary from three and a half years to seven years with the final eight months suspended after it found their original sentences were unduly lenient. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Daily Mirror
21-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Gardaí taking no further investigation into original Bishop Eamonn Casey file
Gardaí are taking no further action into the original investigation file on disgraced Bishop Eamonn Casey. The review was conducted by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) at the request of Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. A garda spokesperson said: 'This review has been completed and no further investigative actions have been identified." The request came after an RTÉ documentary titled Bishop Casey's Buried Secrets examined the Catholic Church's handling of abuse allegations made against Casey. Multiple allegations of child sex abuse were made against the Bishop, including from his niece Patricia Donovan. She claimed that he first raped her at five years old and the abuse continued for years. Ms Donovan told the documentary: 'The horror of being raped by him when I was five, the violence. And it just carried on in that vein. He had no fear of being caught. 'He thought he could do what he liked, when he liked, how he liked… He was almost, like, incensed that I would dare fight against him, that I would dare try and hurt him, I would dare try and stop him… It didn't make any difference.' The former CEO of The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland, Ian Elliott, described Bishop Casey as 'a sexual predator'. He told RTÉ: 'It should have been stopped… those that have been distressed and hurt should be helped and supported by the Church. That is a major priority.' Patricia Donovan (Image: RTÉ) Child sexual abuse allegations against Casey were reported to gardaí, but he was never charged. He vehemently denied all of these allegations when he was alive. The former Bishop of Galway died in 2017 and was buried in the crypt of Galway Cathedral. However, on Friday the diocese of Galway confirmed that his remains were removed and they are now with his family. In a statement, Galway Disocesan Office thanked everyone 'for their understanding of the situation, for their patience and for their respect as this process was undertaken and brought to a conclusion". It added: 'Significant consensus emerged around the unique role of a Cathedral as a place of unity rather than division, healing rather than hurt and peace rather than disquiet.' Casey resigned from his post as Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh in 1992 after it was revealed that he had an affair with American woman Annie Murphy, which resulted in the birth of their son. The Vatican later confirmed that he was formally removed from public ministry in 2007 following 'allegations', which included complaints of child sexual abuse. However, this wasn't made publicly aware when he was alive and was only revealed during RTÉ's documentary last year. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Extra.ie
20-07-2025
- Extra.ie
Community 'safety' group includes violent offenders and killer as members
A failed far-right election candidate who ranted 'I'm going all Texas on it. I got guns' in a disturbing post about asylum seekers is a founding member of 'vigilante' group Sinne na Daoine, has learned. Another founding member of the anti-immigrant group – which claims to have 'over 1,000' members – and a fellow failed election candidate, threatened to 'storm' the Dáil this week in a series of social media posts. And can further reveal – after reporting recently that a convicted father killer was in the group – that a separate person strongly associated with the sinister group is currently before the courts for a violent crime. Sinne na Daoine leader with Ger McNamara. Pic: File The worrying remarks about having guns were made in a 2022 post by Martin Murphy, who ran in last year's local elections for the Irish Freedom Party, in Tipperary's Carrick-on-Suir constituency. He also remarked on a post about former British prime minister Liz Truss and the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen: 'Ask which you would shoot if you only had 1 bullet.' The previous year, the former candidate and current Ireland First 'national organiser' posted a series of tweets calling for Fine Gael TDs and senators to be sent to the 'gallows'. understands Sinne na Daoine was founded last year by approximately ten people, including Mr Murphy and the president of the Ireland First party, Anthony Casey. It has been backed by ex-MMA star and self-styled presidential candidate Conor McGregor. Mr Casey said this week the Dáil needs to be 'stormed already'. The former Kildare South candidate made the comments on a post that claimed the Dublin streets 'run red with the blood of our own'. 'Do you still think @SinneNaDaoine is too extreme? Still think I'm too militant?,' he asked. 'How many innocent Irish lives are you willing to sacrifice? 'Don't be concerned about my 'electability'.' He added, the 'Dáil needs to be stormed already!!' When it was put to him by a follower that he should 'stop pontificating' and 'storm it', Mr Casey replied he will be there 'front and centre'. 'There are over 1000 in Sinne na Daoine now,' he said. 'Trust me, I am working on it, and I will be there front and centre. There's a reason I'm adopting a multi-pronged approach as I've said from the get go.' He continued: 'There are strong patriots around the movement that I need to sit down with first in order to achieve this effectively.' The revelations about its founding members come as can report that a man connected to Sinne na Daoine is currently charged with a serious violent crime. The man can't be named for legal reasons but has previously attended a Sinne na Daoine meeting at which he spoke. recently revealed another man, who bludgeoned his own father to death, is also a central figure in Sinne na Daoine. Ger McNamara. Pic: File Killer Gerard McNamara – who kicked and beat his own father to death – is part of the group that previously revealed has begun staging street patrols and has members in almost every county in the country. A photo from the group's first patrol in Limerick city shows McNamara, 37, posing beside Anthony Casey. The group were dressed in orange vests featuring the Sinne na Daoine logo. An informed source described the group as 'vigilantes' who 'put up stickers on the streets they patrol'. 'They are organised and anyone who wants to join is screened,' said the source. 'One of the women does the screening, and you have to do a FaceTime call or 30-second video [before being allowed onto their online forums].' Killer McNamara was sentenced to eight years in prison, with the final two years suspended, in 2012, for killing his father in a drink-fuelled row. He pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Joseph 'Joey' O'Donnell, 48 at Hyde Road, Prospect, in Limerick, on October 1, 2010. Joseph O'Donnell died in hospital from blunt force trauma to the head, hours after his son had kicked and beaten him with a number of household items and a full can of beer. Last week, revealed how a Muslim man was hospitalised with a broken jaw after convicted killer McNamara, who is involved in the far-right 'community watchdog' group, wrongly accused him of inappropriately approaching children in a park. The footage, which went viral on social media before it was labelled 'misinformation' by gardaí, was filmed by McNamara and posted to his TikTok account. McNamara has also addressed his criminal past in a video he posted to his TikTok account. In the video, he claimed he had no idea why people are commenting under his posts that he was a murderer and that he didn't want to have to 'lower himself' by explaining to people what actually happened. He said: 'Who never had a drink with someone, got in a row and hit him in the head?' He added: 'He died three days later. I got charged with manslaughter. He's my dad. I love him. I miss him.' He also doubled down on the video he posted about the man in the park, saying there is 'evidence' of 'this Muslim foreign fella' approaching children – but without providing any proof or evidence to back up his claim. Sinne na Daoine publicised their first and second 'patrols' in Limerick city and Clonmel, in Co. Tipperary, on social media earlier in the year. They have also listed the names of companies or people they label 'plantation enablers' on their website. Meanwhile, Martin Murphy previously attempted to downplay his threatening posts when contacted by us. He said the tweets were posted before he declared his intention to run in the local election and described them as 'gallows humour'.
