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Gardaí at the scene at the Watergate Flats yesterday morning. Brendan Gleeson

Man charged with murdering 71-year-old man in Limerick

Michael Hayes, who was aged in his 70s, was found with serious injuries in the Cornmarket area of the city at around 11:30pm on Thursday.

LAST UPDATE | 13 Jul

THE MAN ARRESTED in connection with the fatal assault of Michael Hayes in Limerick on Thursday night has appeared before a special court sitting charged with murdering a pensioner in Limerick last Thursday.

Philip Ambrose, (43), did not reply when charged with murdering Michael Hayes, Gardaí told Limerick District Court last night.

Ambrose, of no fixed address, and who appeared in court dressed in a dark top and pants and a grey t-shirt, did not speak during the brief late night hearing before Judge Alec Gabbett.

Garda Aoife Quinn told the court she arrested charged and cautioned Ambrose in respect of murdering Michael Hayes.

Ambrose was arrested by Gardaí last Friday morning, a few hours after Michael Hayes was allegedly attacked near his home in Limerick City Centre, around 11.30pm, last Thursday night.

The 71-year-old was found with critical injuries at St Michael’s Court, Watergate, and despite paramedics and doctors best efforts he was pronounced dead at University Hospital Limerick last Friday.

Garda Quinn said she arrested Ambrose at Henry Street garda station, at 6.35pm, Saturday, for the purpose of charging him with the murder of Michael Hayes, contrary to Common Law.

The murder is alleged to have occurred at St Michael’s Court, Watergate, Limerick city, a block of apartments where Mr Hayes had been living.

Garda Quinn gave evidence that Ambrose “made no reply to the charge after caution”.

Ambrose’s solicitor, Turlough Herbert, Herbert & Co Solicitors, Limerick, told the court that he was not applying for bail.

The solicitor explained in court that the question of bail did not arise as bail applications in respect of a murder charge can only be made before the High Court.

Herbert made an application before the court for legal aid on behalf of the accused and said Ambrose was in receipt of a “disability allowance”.

Judge Gabbett acceded the application and granted Ambrose free legal aid.

The judge ordered that a psychiatric evaluation be conducted in respect of Ambrose.

Judge Gabbett remanded Ambrose in custody to Limerick Prison, to appear via video-link before Limerick District Court again on Tuesday, 15 July.

Includes reporting by Niall O’Connor and Emma Hickey

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