The trial of a Limerick man for the murder of Eddie Ryan Snr ended dramatically today when the accused pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
At the Central Criminal Court Mr Paul Coffey changed his plea to not guilty to murder but guilty of the manslaughter of Mr Ryan, who was shot 11 times by two gunmen who burst into the Moose Bar in Limerick in November 2000.
When the trial resumed today, the court heard that the DPP had accepted a manslaughter plea. The formal re-arraignment was delayed briefly to allow Mr Ryan's wife Mrs Mary Ryan, who was travelling from Limerick, time to reach the court.
Mr Justice Abbott rejected a defence application for Coffey to be remanded on continuing bail. He said it would be "entirely inappropriate" for him to return to Limerick on bail given the "group tensions" in Limerick and the "fraught" background to the case. He added that to do so "would place the law in a position of low regard with people who have awaited a decisive outcome of these proceedings".
Mr Justice Abbott remanded him in custody for sentencing on October 17th next. He also agreed to a psychological assessment after defence counsel Mr Blaise O'Carroll SC told the court that the accused has a low IQ.
The trial had heard that Coffey (26) whose last address was Craeval Park, Moyross was the getaway driver for two gunmen who burst into the Moose Bar on Limerick's Cathedral Street at 10 p.m. on November 12th, 2000 and fired 11 shots into 41-year-old Eddie Ryan.
Mr Justice Abbott thanked the jury and released them for further service for 10 years. The court also made a recommendation that Coffey be committed to Limerick Prison to allow him to be near his family.