Latest news with #MargueritaORourke
BreakingNews.ie
6 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Man pleads guilty to dangerous driving causing death of niece
A man pleaded guilty before a court on Thursday to dangerous driving causing the death of his niece and to producing a machete on the same day. Danny O'Donoghue (42), Lower Main Street, Rathkeale, Co Limerick, admitted the offences when he appeared before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. Advertisement Mr O'Donoghue appeared before the court via a video-link from Portlaoise Prison, where he is currently being held on remand. He admitted one count of dangerous driving causing the death of his niece, Marguerita O'Rourke, née Sheridan, at Bank Place, Rathkeale, on December 21st, 2024. Ms O'Rourke, of Roches Row, Rathkeale, had given birth to her first child, a son, three weeks prior to her death. The young mother had been closing steel gates to a property when Mr O'Donoghue struck the gates, killing her. Advertisement Mr O'Donoghue's barrister, senior counsel Michael Bowman, instructed by solicitor Michael O'Donnell, told the court: 'The tragic deceased was actually the niece of the accused.' Judge Colin Daly said it was a 'sad case indeed'. The judge said, given the 'sensitive' nature of the case, he was directing that Mr O'Donoghue's sentencing hearing would be scheduled on its own. 'There is some sensitivity to this and I believe Mr O'Donoghue's sentence hearing would benefit from an afternoon to itself, the evidence is likely to take some time, possibly an hour,' the judge said. Advertisement Prosecuting barrister, Lily Buckley BL, told the court: 'The deceased was 21 years of age and her husband is currently in the United Kingdom. Victim impact statements will have to be canvassed, the deceased's parents, John Sheridan and Margaret Sheridan, will have to be canvassed, and (Ms O'Rourke) had one brother and a three-week-old child at the time.' Mr O'Donoghue also pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to the set of gates, the property of Mary Teresa O'Rourke, arising out of the same fatal incident last December. He also pleaded guilty to producing a machete during the course of a dispute and causing criminal damage to a silver Ford Transit Custom van, the property of Patrick Sheridan, on the same date. A nolle prosequi is to be entered by the prosecution in respect of Mr O'Donoghue previously being charged with one count of threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Patrick Sheridan, also on the same date. Advertisement Mr O'Donoghue has not sought bail since he was arrested and held in custody on remand last December. A few weeks prior to her death, Ms O'Rourke and her husband, Denis, had celebrated the birth of their first child. Thousands of people attended a candlelit vigil at Rathkeale last Christmas Eve following her death. Blown-up photographs of the deceased dressed in her wedding dress were erected in and around St Mary's Church, Rathkeale, during her funeral mass. Her remains were brought in a glass carriage drawn by horses to her final resting place at Rathkeale Cemetery. Advertisement In an online tribute to his late daughter, John Sheridan described Ms O'Rourke as 'a true legend' who loved 'horses'. Ireland Three men plead guilty to unlawful killing of Tom... Read More The deceased's brother, Freddy Sheridan, stated: 'It's never going to be the same without you, Maggie, but you left us a very special boy, I know his mama should be here with him, but unfortunately, life didn't go that way.' 'Rest in Peace Marguerita, I can't believe I had to say it, love you my sister.' In court today Mr O'Donoghue's barrister successfully applied for a pre-sentencing report from the Governor of Portlaoise Prison as well as a prison educational report in respect of the accused. Judge Colin Daly remanded Mr O'Donoghue in continuing custody for sentencing on October 29th.
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Irish Times
Man pleads guilty to dangerous driving causing death of his niece Marguerita O'Rourke
A man pleaded guilty on Thursday to dangerous driving causing the death of his niece and to producing a machete on the same day. Danny O'Donoghue, (42), of Lower Main Street, Rathkeale, Co Limerick, admitted the offences when he appeared before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. Mr O'Donoghue, appeared before the court via a video-link from Portlaoise Prison, where he is currently being held on remand. He admitted one count of dangerous driving causing the death of his niece, Marguerita O'Rourke (21), née Sheridan, at Bank Place, Rathkeale, on December 21st, 2024. READ MORE Ms O'Rourke, of Roches Row, Rathkeale, had given birth to her first child, a son, three weeks beforeher death. The young mother had been closing steel gates to a property when Mr O'Donoghue struck the gates, killing her. Mr O'Donoghue's barrister, senior counsel Michael Bowman, instructed by solicitor Michael O'Donnell, told the court: 'The tragic deceased was actually the niece of the accused.' Judge Colin Daly said it was a 'sad case indeed'. The judge said, given the 'sensitive' nature of the case he was directing that Mr O'Donoghue's sentencing hearing would be scheduled on its own. 'There is some sensitivity to this and I believe Mr O'Donoghue's sentence hearing would benefit from an afternoon to itself. The evidence is likely to take some time, possibly an hour,' the judge said. Prosecuting barrister, Lily Buckley BL, told the court: 'The deceased was 21 years of age and her husband is currently in the United Kingdom. Victim impact statements will have to be canvassed, the deceased's parents John Sheridan and Margaret Sheridan will have to be canvassed, and (Ms O'Rourke née Sheridan) had one brother and a three-week old child at the time.' Mr O'Donoghue also pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to the set of gates, the property of Mary Teresa O'Rourke, arising out of the same fatal incident last December. He also pleaded guilty to producing a machete during the course of a dispute and causing criminal damage to a silver Ford Transit Custom van, the property of Patrick Sheridan, on the same date. A nolle prosequi is to be entered by the prosecution in respect of Mr O'Donoghue previously being charged with one count of threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Patrick Sheridan, also on the same date. Mr O'Donoghue has not sought bail since he was arrested and held in custody on remand last December. In court on Thursday, Mr O'Donoghue's barrister successfully applied for a pre-sentencing report from the governor of Portlaoise Prison as well as a prison educational report in respect of the accused. Judge Colin Daly remanded Mr O'Donoghue in continuing custody for sentencing on October 29th.
Irish Times
13-05-2025
- Irish Times
Man remanded in custody after indicating he would plead guilty to dangerous driving causing death of young mother
A man was remanded in continuing custody on Tuesday after indicating he was willing to plead guilty to a charge of dangerous driving causing the death of a young mother last year. The accused, Danny O'Donoghue (42), Lower Main Street, Rathkeale, appeared before Limerick District Court on Tuesday. Mr O'Donoghue is accused of dangerous driving causing the death of 21-year old Marguerita O'Rourke, née Sheridan, of Roches Row, Rathkeale, on December 21st, 2024, and with causing criminal damage to a set of gates at the same location on the same date. The court heard that Mr O'Donoghue is also charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to a Patrick Sheridan; producing a machete during the course of making the alleged threat to Mr Sheridan; and causing criminal damage to Mr Sheridan's van, all on the same date, in Rathkeale. READ MORE Marguerita O'Rourke had given birth to her first child four weeks prior to her death, which occurred after she sustained serious injuries at Bank Place, Rathkeale. Mr O'Donoghue's solicitor, Michael O'Donnell, told the court Mr O'Donoghue had previously indicated he was 'prepared to offer a signed plea to dangerous driving causing death, and that is still his position'. Mr O'Donnell said Mr O'Donoghue was 'awaiting a book of evidence' in respect of the other charges, indicating the accused was planning on contesting these charges. Mr O'Donoghue has not sought bail and has been held on remand in custody since his arrest last December. Prosecuting sergeant Denis Waters, Roxboro Road Garda station, applied for and was granted a four-week adjournment, by consent. Judge Áine Clancy also granted the State a time extension on the service of a book of evidence should one be required. The judge remanded Mr O'Donoghue in continuing custody to appear before Limerick District Court, via video link, for further directions in the case, on June 10th. Ms O'Rourke and her husband, Denis, celebrated the birth of their first child together, a son, last November.
