A man has appeared in court in Limerick in connection with a fatal assault on a 54-year-old former music teacher at a house in Rathkeale over two years ago.
Patrick Lawlor, aged in his 50s, with an address at Upper Mallow Street in Limerick city, has been charged with assault causing harm to Louise Muckell.
Ms Muckell was found seriously injured a house in Cois Deel in Rathkeale on the evening of 19 July 2022 and died the following day at University Hospital Limerick.
She was a talented singer and musician and had taught piano at Mercy Secondary School in Rathkeale and sang in the local choir.
Gardaí established she had been at a house in the Windmill Street area of Limerick city in the hours prior to her being discovered injured.
A full garda investigation into her death, and what led to it, has been ongoing over the past two years, resulting in the arrest and charge of a man.
Limerick District Court heard Mr Lawlor made no reply when he was charged with assault causing harm to Ms Muckell.
He was granted free legal aid and Judge Mark O'Connell agreed to release him on bail subject to a number of restrictions, including that he resides at his residence at Upper Mallow Street, that he have no contact with members of the victim's family or other witnesses involved in the case either by phone or social media interaction.
He was also ordered to give his mobile phone number to gardaí so that he can be contacted.
The Director of Public Prosecution has consented that the accused by sent forward for trial to the Circuit Court, and the case was put back for mention to 23 October for preparation of the book of evidence.
