Man charged with fatal hit-and-run in Limerick further remanded in custody
Photo: Marguerita Sheridan Facebook
A man charged in connection with the death of mother of one, Marguerita “Maggie” O’Rourke (née Sheridan), was remanded in continuing custody on Friday.
Danny O’Donoghue, (aged 42), of Lower Main Street Rathkeale, Co Limerick, is charged with dangerous driving causing Ms O’Rourke’s death, on December 21, 2024.
Ms O’Rourke, (aged 21), of Roches Row, Rathkeale, suffered critical injuries and died after a van collided with gates at Bank Place, Well Lane, Rathkeale, at around 12.15pm, last Saturday, December 21.
Mr O’Donoghue is also facing charges of causing criminal damage to a set of gates; threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Patrick Sheridan; producing a machete during the course of making the alleged threat; and causing criminal damage to Mr Sheridan’s van, all at Rathkeale, on December 21, 2024.
On Friday, Mr O’Donoghue appeared before a vacation sitting of Limerick District Court, via video-link from Limerick Prison where he is being held in custody on remand, and spoke to confirm his name and that he could hear and see the court proceedings.
Prosecuting Garda Sergeant Sean Murray, Roxboro Road Garda Station, said that gardaí were awaiting further directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and he applied for a four-week remand in custody. Sergeant Murray said a Garda file was “being prepared” for the DPP.
Solicitor, John Herbert, said the accused was consenting to the State’s application for a four-week remand in custody. Judge Adrian Harris granted the State’s application and remanded Mr O’Donoghue in continuing custody to appear before Limerick District Court on January 21 for DPP directions.
Ms O’Rourke, her husband Denis, and family, had celebrated the birth of the couple’s first child, Edward, almost four weeks ago.
Several hundred people attended a candle-lit vigil for the deceased in Rathkeale on Christmas Eve.
Ms O’Rourke’s remains will be reposed at Cross’s Funeral Home, Gerald Griffin Street, Limerick City, from 2pm-4pm on Saturday, December 28. Her funeral will take place at St Mary’s Church, Rathkeale, at 12.30pm, Sunday, December 29, with burial afterwards in St Joseph’s Cemetery, Rathkeale.