BREAKING: Screams of a mother whose daughter was fatally injured by uncle echo through Limerick courtroom

THE PIERCING screams of a mother after discovering her daughter lying on the ground with fatal injuries echoed around Limerick Circuit Criminal Court this Wednesday afternoon after CCTV footage was played.

Armed gardai were present in Limerick Courthouse before the sentencing hearing of Danny O’Donoghue. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of his niece, Marguerita (Maggie) O'Rourke (née Sheridan) in Rathkeale on December 21, 2024. 

A genealogy family tree was handed into Judge Colin Daly to assist him trace the links between the Sheridan, O’Rourke and O’Donoghue families.

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The court heard that 21-year-old Ms O'Rourke (née Sheridan), who had given birth to a baby boy three weeks earlier, was about to open a steel gate when a Ford Transit van being driven by Mr O’Donoghue was rammed into the gate just after noon. 

A slipper worn by Ms O'Rourke (née Sheridan) was stuck in the gate, which she was in the process of opening for her mother Doite Sheridan (a sister of the accused Mr O’Donoghue), who was bringing her a sandwich from a local shop.

Ms O'Rourke (née Sheridan) and her husband Denis O’Rourke, who were living in a caravan at the property, were getting ready to go to a family funeral later that day. 

Mr O’Donoghue, aged 43, of Lower Main Street, Rathkeale, County Limerick  is also charged with causing criminal damage to a set of gates, property of Mary Teresa O'Rourke, at the same location on the same date, and two summons relating to failing to remain at the scene of a collision.

Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by State solicitor Brendan Gill, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Detective Garda Elaine O’Keeffe and Detective Sergeant Michael Reidy.

Ms Buckley said Mr O’Donoghue drove his silver Ford Transit van from his home in Rathkeale to Bank Place, Well Lane in the town and drove at the gate, hitting it.

“Doite Sheridan was getting out of her van at the time. The accused shouted at her (his sister) ‘Get out of town’ twice before driving off,” said Ms Buckley.

CCTV footage was played for Judge Daly, presiding. Doite Sheridan can be heard screaming after finding her daughter on the ground.

Ms Buckley said the gate impacted Ms O'Rourke (née Sheridan) (pictured below) and she fell backwards.

Gardai who arrived on the scene and an off-duty firefighter performed emergency first aid. Ms O'Rourke (née Sheridan) was rushed to University Hospital Limerick where she died at around 4pm that day due to “injuries incompatible with life”.

“A report by the State pathologist Dr SallyAnne Collis said she suffered blunt force head and abdominal injuries,” said Ms Buckley.

Mr O’Donoghue handed himself into gardai in Rathkeale two days later. He was later charged and has been remanded in custody since then. No application for bail was made.

Two victim impact statements were read out by Ms Buckley on behalf of the father of Ms O'Rourke (née Sheridan) - John Sheridan - and her husband, Denis O’Rourke. Neither men were in court.

Mr Sheridan said he wished to share the profound and devastating effect the death of his daughter has had on himself, his wife and their children.

“Our daughter Marguerita was a kind, loving, and wonderful daughter. Though Marguerita was only 21 when she became a mother, she was a natural mother to her little son, Edward who was born just three weeks before her untimely death. 

“She was so proud of her little baby who was born in the UK. She couldn't wait to bring him home for Christmas to introduce him to her family. It was going to be such a joyous time for our family to celebrate Christmas.

“Instead of the many happy family occasions my wife and I had planned for the festive season we had to face the horrendous reality of the untimely and unnecessary loss of Marguerita on December 21 as a result of the reckless behavior of the accused when he drove his vehicle directly through the entrance to the home where Marguerita was staying with her husband and child for the Christmas period.” 

Mr Sheridan said they were faced with “the unspeakable task of arranging our daughter's funeral at Christmas”. 

“We are heartbroken and also angry because of the senseless act that took our daughter. We urged the court to impose a sentence on the accused who used his vehicle as a weapon of destruction to cause fatal injuries to our daughter.

"Holding the accused accountable is important to my wife and me but it's also important to our community,” concluded Mr Sheridan’s victim impact statement.

Ms Buckley also read out the statement on behalf of Denis O’Rouke, husband.

He said the actions of the accused “have destroyed my life and the life of my son Edward and to explain the deep pain and harm that his choices have caused”. 

“My wife, just 21-years-old, was killed when her uncle dangerously rammed into mental gates at the side of my grandmother's house causing her death. This was not an accident. His behavior that day was reckless, violent and deliberate.

“On the date of my wife's death, we'd only returned to Ireland the night before for my uncle's wife's funeral. My wife was killed as we were getting ready to go to the church. The accused showed no compassion and circumstances where we were grieving a family member.

“Whatever history or feud may have existed between our families, nothing could ever justify what the accused did. He made a choice that morning to use violence and to put lives at risk. And because of that choice, my wife, an innocent woman, the mother of my child, is gone forever.”

Mr O’Rourke said there has been no remorse, no apology, no sign of regret for what has been done. 

“It was an attempt to terrorise my entire family. It was an intimidation designed to keep myself and my family living in fear. My wife's death has left me as the only parent to our baby son who was just three weeks old when his mother was taken from him.

“Instead of having our first Christmas as a family I was planning her funeral. I now carry the responsibility of raising my son alone, knowing  he will never hear his mother's voice and never be in her arms, never experience his mother's love. That is something that can never be replaced. My life has been completely shattered,” read out by Ms Buckley on behalf of Mr O’Rourke.

Mr O’Donoghue was represented by Michael Bowman SC, instructed by Michael O’Donnell, solicitor.

Mr Bowman said it is a tragedy of epic and enormous proportions visited upon the Sheridan, O'Rourke and O’Donoghue families

He said his client had no understanding that anybody could be behind that gate but that is "cold comfort to all".

Mr Bowman said Mr O’Donoghue handed himself into gardai, pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and has demonstrated remorse. He also referred to Mr O’Donoghue being under the influence of intoxicants - alcohol and cocaine - during a “spree” on the night and days prior to the incident.

Mr Bowman handed in letters penned by Mr O’Donoghue’s mother (and grandmother of Ms O'Rourke (née Sheridan)) and his wife who said that the victim had babysat their children.

Mr Bowman read out a letter of apology from Mr O’Donoghue in which he said it was the most difficult thing he has had to do as “nothing I do or say is going to bring back Marguerita, unfortunately, and it’s all my fault”.

He said his niece was a stunning young woman and a young mother to a beautiful little boy. Mr O’Donoghue said he couldn’t even try and “comprehend the pain and suffering that you are going through”.

“The shame and guilt that I experience every second of every day is something l will carry with me always.

“There is not a moment I don’t think back to that day and ask God why he could not take my life instead of Marguerita’s. It should never have happened,” wrote Mr O’Donoghue, who described the pain, suffering and loss he has brought.

“My actions resulted in Marguerita’s death. I just can't believe she is gone.

“I don't know if you will ever forgive me. I pray to God to give your family peace. She was an angel here and she is an angel in heaven,” read out Mr Bowman, on behalf of Mr O’Donoghue.

The defendant also pleaded guilty to producing a machete capable of inflicting serious injury at Ballywilliam, Rathkeale on the same afternoon.

A guilty plea was also entered to causing criminal damage to a van, property of a Patrick Sheridan, on the same date and location in Rathkeale.

Judge Daly said there was much to consider and he required time to consider matters. He said he would pass sentence on January 21.

Mr O’Donoghue was remanded in continuing custody.