A man has appeared in court charged with murder after a fatal hit-and-run in Limerick.
Logan Jackson, 29, of Longford Road, Coventry, England, appeared at Limerick District Court on Wednesday charged with the murder of boxer Kevin Sheehy.
Detective Garda Pat Whelan told Justice Marian O’Leary he arrested Jackson on Tuesday evening and took him to Roxboro Garda Station, and Jackson made no reply when cautioned.
The accused appeared in a black hoodie and grey trousers and stood silently in the dock during the hearing, which lasted less than two minutes.
There were cries in the courtroom from Mr Sheehy’s family when the charge was read out, and a number of women were visibly shaken.
Some of those in the court appeared to jeer at Jackson as he was led away by officers.
He was remanded in custody to Limerick Prison and will reappear on July 9.
There was a heavy police presence in the court, with at least 15 uniformed guards as well as a number of other officers.
Mr Sheehy, 20, who was a champion boxer, died on the Hyde Road at around 4.40am on Monday.
The victim, from John Carew Park in Limerick, was taken to University Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
He was due to become a father for the first time in five weeks.
Tributes on social media said Mr Sheehy, who was a member of St Francis Boxing Club, was a “very special person” and an “extremely talented” athlete.
His coach Ken Moore described him as someone with “huge self drive”.
“He was one of the nicest young men, he was mannerly and courageous and respected everyone. He will be a huge loss to the boxing club,” he said.
“He was so excited to become a father and often talked about it.
“He was a young lad and it was the first time he went out in Limerick in three months. He went on a night out and hasn’t come home.
“This happens to a lot of young people and if it’s at someone else’s hand it has to stop. We have to put measures in place and cannot allow this to keep happening.”
Mr Sheehy won five Irish titles, four in the last year, and was under-22 champion at the time of his death.
He had been expected to go to the 2024 Olympics.
