A case based on claims by an uncle of a Limerick teenager beaten to death, that his own life was threatened by a relative of one of his nephew's killers, has been dismissed in court.
William Coughlan, St Mary's Park, Limerick, alleged that Daniel Treacy (33), Rhebogue, Limerick, threatened to kill him on July 23rd last year.
Judge Tom O'Donnell dismissed the charges against Mr Treacy at Limerick District Court yesterday.
William Coughlan is an uncle of 18-year-old Darren Coughlan who died in November 2005, three days after he was viciously assaulted.
Daniel Treacy is a brother of Richard Treacy, one of three men currently serving prison sentences for the manslaughter of Darren Coughlan.
Daniel Treacy's solicitor, Ted McCarthy, put it to William Coughlan that he had made up the allegations against his client because he had a grievance with the Treacy family following his nephew's death.
Mr Coughlan denied this and gave evidence under oath that Mr Treacy had pulled up beside him in a pick-up truck and shouted: "I'll kill you, you're dead you f ***ing c**t".
Mr Coughlan also alleged Mr Treacy had accused him of talking about him and spoke to him in an aggressive manner.
Mr Treacy denied the allegations and said he had no grievance with Mr Coughlan and no reason to threaten him.
The 33-year-old admitted he drove past Mr Coughlan on the night of the alleged offence but said he had his two young children with him and added: "I wouldn't be much of a father if I threatened somebody with two kids in the car."
Judge O'Donnell said he had to be satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt that the facts had been proved, but he concluded that the State had "fallen short of that".
He commented that other people who may have assisted with the case did not make any statement to gardaí.
Judge O'Donnell concluded that because he had a doubt, he had to give credit to Mr Treacy and he dismissed the charges against him.