THERE WERE emotional scenes at a Co Limerick courthouse yesterday when a grandmother confronted a man accused of killing her daughter and two grandchildren.
John Geary (31), originally from Milford, Co Cork, but with an address at Meadow Court, Newcastle West, Co Limerick, is charged with four murders at a house in Newcastle West last year: that of his former partner, Sarah Hines (25), their five-month-old daughter Amy, and Ms Hines’s three-year-old son Reece.
He is also charged with the murder of Sarah’s friend, Alicia Brough (20), also in Newcastle West, on November 15th, 2010.
Mr Geary appeared before Newcastle West District Court yesterday where the court heard the book of evidence in the case is expected to be served next month.
Grandmother Abina Hines held a picture of her daughter and two children in front of Mr Geary’s face during his brief court appearance.
Mr Geary remained impassive as Ms Hines attempted to get him to look at the picture.
She was quietly escorted from the court room.
A male family friend also had to be escorted from the courtroom.
Supt Joe Roe told the court the Director of Public Prosecutions was working full-time on the case.
He requested an adjournment of a month, to which solicitor Michael O’Donnell, acting as agent for defence solicitor John Herbert, consented.
Judge Mary O’Halloran remanded Mr Geary in custody to Cloverhill Prison to appear at Newcastle West District Court again on June 7th for service of the book of evidence.