A man was charged with the murder of a pensioner in Limerick last Thursday at a special court sitting on Saturday night.
Philip Ambrose, 43, remained silent when charged with the murder of Michael Hayes, 71, Gardaí informed Limerick District Court.
Mr. Ambrose, who has no fixed address, appeared in court wearing a dark top, pants, and a grey t-shirt. He did not speak during the brief late-night hearing before Judge Alec Gabbett.
Garda Aoife Quinn testified in court that she arrested, charged, and cautioned Mr. Ambrose regarding the murder of Mr. Hayes.
Mr. Ambrose was arrested by gardaí on Friday morning, a few hours after Mr. Hayes was allegedly attacked near his home in Limerick City Centre around 11:30 pm last Thursday night.
Mr. Hayes was found with critical injuries at St. Michael’s Court, Watergate. Despite the best efforts of paramedics and doctors, he was pronounced dead at University Hospital Limerick on Friday.
Garda Quinn stated that she arrested Mr. Ambrose at Henry Street garda station at 6:35 pm on Saturday, for the purpose of charging him with the murder of Mr. Hayes.
The alleged murder occurred at St. Michael’s Court, Watergate, Limerick city, an apartment complex where Mr. Hayes resided.
Garda Quinn testified that Mr. Ambrose “made no reply to the charge after caution.”
Mr. Ambrose’s solicitor, Turlough Herbert of Herbert & Co Solicitors, Limerick, informed the court that he was not applying for bail.
The solicitor explained that bail applications for murder charges can only be made before the High Court, making the question of bail inapplicable in this court.
Mr. Herbert applied to the court for legal aid on behalf of the accused, stating that Mr. Ambrose was receiving a “disability allowance.”
Judge Gabbett granted the application and provided Mr. Ambrose with free legal aid.
The judge ordered a psychiatric evaluation be conducted on Mr. Ambrose.
Judge Gabbett remanded Mr. Ambrose in custody to Limerick Prison, to reappear via video-link before Limerick District Court on Tuesday, July 15.
