Former Irish sports star killed over cans of beer

A HOMELESS man who was capped for Ireland at underage level in soccer and rugby was killed following a dispute over a bag of cans of Dutch Gold, Limerick Circuit Criminal Court heard.

Michael Casey, aged 40, of Cathedral Place, Limerick city pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Alan Bourke outside Colbert Station in Limerick city on Good Friday, April 15, 2022.

Casey has a previous conviction for a burglary in Doon in 2015 where John O’Donoghue, aged 62, collapsed and died in his yard after he disturbed the burglars.

Prosecuting barrister Anne Rowland SC, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the case with the assistance of Detective Garda Dean Landers and Detective Garda Seamus Murphy.

Ms Roland said that earlier on Good Friday Mr Bourke was at a friend's apartment run by Focus Ireland on Parnell Street, Limerick city.

“They left the apartment at around 5.30pm to go begging and said they would meet up around 8pm after they got some money to buy beer,” said Ms Roland.

CCTV footage was played of Mr Bourke wheeling his bicycle and a suitcase containing clothes and a sleeping bag leaving the apartment.

At 9.45pm, Mr Bourke bought 10 cans of Dutch Gold in Centra on O’Connell Street and walked back to Parnell Street but his friend was not there.

CCTV footage was also played of Casey, who was in the company of another man (Mr X) who is before the courts, and a female who is now deceased.

CCTV showed Mr X holding a white plastic bag containing cans of Dutch Gold belonging to Mr Bourke on the plaza outside Colbert Station.

Ms Roland said Casey prevented Mr Bourke from retrieving his beer which had been taken from him.

“Mr Bourke did not fight back. The accused struck a violent and aggressive blow,” said the prosecuting barrister. Mr Bourke fell back and hit his head on the pavement, the court heard.

Mobile phone footage showed Casey, Mr X and the female leaving the scene. Mr X wheeled Mr Bourke’s bicycle with the bag of cans hanging from the handlebar.

The prosecuting barrister spoke of the “callousness” of Casey and the other parties. “He was lying on the ground completely motionless. They casually made their way off,” said Ms Roland.

A pathologist’s report said Mr Bourke suffered a fractured skull and brain haemorhage from the fall. There was also bruising to his face and forehead.

A garda interview with Casey was read out, in which the defendant said it wasn’t meant to happen. “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,” said Casey, who admitted punching Mr Bourke three times in the face but denied stealing Mr Bourke’s cans. The sole charge before the court was manslaughter.

A victim impact statement written by Mr Bourke’s sister Diane said “Alan was a loving son, father and friend to many”.

She stated: “Our lives have changed forever. Alan had the biggest heart and was the apple of his late mother’s eye”.

The statement added that instead of celebrating Mr Bourke’s 50th birthday, his family will be putting flowers on his grave.

“We try to remember how he lived and not how he died. To this day 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,” read the victim impact statement.

Mark Nicholas SC, who represented Casey, said it was a very sad case.

“He instructed me to express his sincere and genuine apologies. He has written heartfelt letters of apology to the court and to the family outlining his absolute regret and sadness. They (Casey and Mr Bourke) were good friends.

“He says, ‘I’m not looking for forgiveness or pity, I just want to apologise’,” said Mr Nicholas.

The barrister said his client has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

“He got involved in a row. He should have stayed out of it. It is an awful thing,” said Mr Nicholas, who added that Casey has taken steps to deal with his addiction.

Judge Dermot Sheehan spoke of the “callousness” of Casey.

“He doesn’t stay there. He turns on his heels and walks away,” said the judge. He said the impression he got from the evidence was there was the robbery of drink - not by the accused - from the deceased.

“Then there was an altercation and dispute. The accused man knew what was going on. He knew what the dispute was over,” said Judge Sheehan, who adjourned sentencing to consider a verdict.