Musician accused of murdering Donegal publican performed at Limerick hurlers' homecoming

A MAN who is accused of murdering Donegal businessman Stephen McCahill earlier this week, performed during the homecoming celebrations following the Limerick hurlers' All-Ireland victory in 2023.

Mr McCahill - a 66-year-old married father-of-two - was found dead outside his home at Beagh, Ardara, County Donegal in the early hours of Monday morning following what gardai described as a fatal assault.

Michael Maloney, aged 32, appeared before Judge Ciaran Liddy at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court this Tuesday evening.

The accused, a nephew of the late Mr McCahill by marriage, is charged that on January 5, at Beagh, Ardara, County Donegal he did murder Stephen McCahill.

The charge is Contrary to Common Law and as provided for by Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1964.

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The defendant was one of the musicians who entertained the crowds at Pery Square at the homecoming for the All-Ireland winning Limerick hurlers in 2023.

His hit song What do You Want to Know was played in the team’s dressing room that year as they went on to lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup. It has over 10 million listens on Spotify and been viewed over two million times on YouTube.

League of Ireland side Derry City also adopted the song and following their FAI Cup win in 2022 Michael Maloney was invited into the dressing room at the Aviva Stadium to perform for the squad.

Michael Maloney performing during the 2023 All-Ireland homecoming celebrations at Pery Square

Maloney, who was wearing a dark-coloured hoodie and baseball cap in court, was arrested at a separate location in County Donegal a short time after the body of Mr McCahill was found around 3.50am on Monday.

He was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in Donegal where he has questioned by detectives. The accused was flanked by detectives when he was brought into Letterkenny Courthouse for the late-night court sitting.

A number of senior members of An Garda Siochana based throughout Donegal were also present in court. Detective Garda Patrick Kelly of Donegal Town garda station gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Maloney.

He told the court he arrested Maloney at 2.25pm and charged him at 3.35pm. He cautioned Maloney but the accused made no reply to the charge.

Michael Maloney

Solicitor for the accused man, Mark Mullaney, made an application for legal aid stating that his client was in receipt of social welfare.

He also said his client does have a diagnosed psychiatric illness and requested he be given all daily medication in prison

Garda Sergeant Jim Collins asked the court to have the accused remanded in custody to appear by video-link before Letterkenny District Court next Monday, January 12. As the accused is charged with murder, there was no application for bail.

Maloney, of Loughros Point, Ardara, was taken from the court by detectives and will be detained at Castlerea Prison. A post mortem was due to take place today on the late Mr McCahill.

Numerous tributes have been made to Mr McCahill who co-owned the Corner House bar in Ardara and who was also an auctioneer.

Among the tributes was one from popstar Imelda May who was in Mr McCahill's bar last Saturday night and who was pictured with the publican.

The late Stephen McCahill

Donegal's first All-Ireland GAA captain and Donegal County Councillor, Anthony Molloy, also paid tribute to Mr McCahill describing him as a true friend.

Mr McCahill is survived by his wife Marietta, his grown-up children Stephen and Gemma, extended family and a wide circle of friends.

His remains will repose at his home at Beagh, Ardara, F94D1W9 on Thursday, January 8, from 11am to 9pm and on Friday from 11am to 9pm.

His Requiem Mass will take place at the Church Of The Holy Family Ardara at midday on Saturday with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.