Husband of woman killed in Rathkeale granted bail on condition he stays away from the town

THE HUSBAND of Marguerita O’Rourke (née Sheridan) - who was killed in Rathkeale last Christmas - has been barred from the town over an alleged violent disorder incident in a County Limerick pub.

Denis O’Rourke, aged 33, with an address at Roche’s Road, Rathkeale was charged this Monday with violent disorder at The Thatch Bar, Newbridge, Askeaton on August 10 last.

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The court heard he was arrested in Rathkeale on Sunday, December 21 after returning to attend his late wife Marguerita’s anniversary Mass. The 21-year-old, who had given birth to their first child weeks earlier in November 2024, was killed by her uncle Danny O’Donoghue in a hit-and-run collision.

Mr O’Rourke and two co-accused - Richard Flynn, aged 37, with an address at Abbey Court, Rathkeale and Daniel Flynn, aged 44, with an address at Deel Court, Rathkeale were charged this Monday in Limerick District Court with violent disorder at the pub in Newbridge, Askeaton.

The three men were transported in a garda van, escorted by the Armed Support Unit, into the rear of Limerick Courthouse.

Sergeant Denis Waters, prosecuting on behalf of the State, said there was an objection to bail being granted to all three men.

Reginald Garrett BL, who represented Mr O’Rourke, applied for bail for his client. Solicitor Sarah Ryan applied for bail on behalf of Richard Flynn and Daniel Flynn.

Inspector Barry Manton, of Newcastle West garda station, took the stand and gave evidence that Mr O’Rourke is an individual who "ordinarily resides outside of the jurisdiction".

“He has some familial connections to Rathkeale where he does visit from time to time. His transient nature and address outside the jurisdiction makes him a flight risk and he may evade justice,” alleged Insp Manton.

The inspector said the allegation is that at 10.08pm on August 10, 2025 the accused was one of six males that entered the Thatch Bar.

“They were armed with weapons, carrying two knives and bottles containing a corrosive substance. The attack was targeted at a member of the O’Donoghue family in Rathkeale who made good his escape.

“This incident is part of an ongoing violent feud between the O’Donoghue family and the O’Rourke / Sheridan families in Rathkeale. This feud has resulted in extreme violence and loss of life,” said Insp Manton.

The garda inspector alleged that the nature and strength of the evidence is extremely strong with very clear CCTV evidence which “shows the applicant part of a group involved in this incident”.

Insp Manton said it is his belief that if Mr O’Rourke is granted bail, further serious offences will be committed by the applicant.

“This is an ongoing bloody feud which has led to the loss of life. It is my firm belief if granted bail the applicant presents significant risk to the immediate safety of others, which include members of the general public given the fact this incident before the court happened in a public house, rival families and associates in the context of this feud, and any potential witnesses may also be exposed to intimidation and violence,” alleged Insp Manton.

The garda inspector further alleged that given the escalation of violence it's “a probability and not a possibility that there would be very serious offences if the applicant is granted bail”.

Mr O’Rourke’s barrister, Mr Garrett asked Insp Manton about the fatal incident in December 2024.

“His wife was killed in a feud-related unlawful killing,” said Insp Manton.

Mr Garrett said Mr O’Rourke has a one-year-old child and his wife’s anniversary was on Sunday. Insp Manton agreed.

Mr Garrett said his client comes before the court with the presumption of innocence and the presumption of the right to liberty.

The barrister said the CCTV footage has not been challenged before the court.

“This man lives in England and is a citizen there. My client is willing to stay out of Rathkeale, he will stay out of County Limerick. 

“He will have no contact with the co-accused or witnesses or injured parties. He will reside in England with his young son and go through the grief process that he has to go through as a victim of this vile act carried out against his wife. That’s all that is on his mind. 

“This time of year is very emotional for Mr O’Rourke, very emotional for his family. He wants to go home and spend Christmas with his child in England,” said Mr Garrett.

The barrister said Mr O’Rourke will enter into a cash surety, attend future court dates as he asserts his innocence and wants to prove that in a court of law before a jury.

“It is not only reasonable, it is necessary to grant Mr O’Rourke bail,” concluded Mr Garrett.

Sgt Waters said Mr Garrett has outlined that Mr O’Rourke wants to leave the jurisdiction. Mr Garrett said there are many defendants who reside outside the jurisdiction and there is nothing to say he won’t return.

Judge Liz Healy asked if a large cash surety, along with other conditions would satisfy the State.

Insp Manton said from the State’s perspective there are no conditions that would satisfy the State.

Mr Garrett said Mr O’Rourke’s father-in-law (John Sheridan) is in court and willing to pay the cash surety.

Judge Healy said she noted the State’s objections but there is the presumption of innocence and granted bail to Mr O’Rourke with a number of conditions - a cash surety of €10,000 with €5,000 to be lodged, attend court dates unless excused, make contact with a designated garda member to let them know when he is entering the jurisdiction, not to attend or appear in Rathkeale, have no contact with his co-accused or witnesses, and provide a mobile phone number and address in the UK. €5,000 in cash was handed into the court registrar and Mr O’Rourke was granted bail.

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Insp Manton and Sgt Waters also objected to bail being granted to Richard Flynn and Daniel Flynn, who are both charged with violent disorder at The Thatch bar.

Richard Flynn is also charged with possession of an article in connection with an alleged incident in Rathkeale on Sunday, December 21.

Insp Manton said it is alleged Richard Flynn was in control of a Land Rover Defender.

“A search of this vehicle uncovered a bottle of a corrosive substance,” alleged Insp Manton, who added that “no conditions would adequately mitigate the risk if Richard Flynn and Daniel Flynn are granted bail”.

Judge Healy said she noted the objections but both men are entitled to the presumption of innocence and granted bail to both men.

The conditions are that both men lodge €5,000 of a €10,000 surety, attend court dates unless excused, have no contact with co-accused or witnesses, provide mobile phone numbers and addresses in the UK to gardai, make contact with a designated garda member to let them know when they are entering the jurisdiction and not to appear or attend in Rathkeale.

Two further sums of €5,000 in cash were handed into court. Richard Flynn and Daniel Flynn were granted bail.

The cases against Mr O’Rourke, Richard Flynn and Daniel Flynn were adjourned to February 27 for DPP’s directions.