Man remanded on bailed over charge in connection with death of former music teacher

David Raleigh

A man on Tuesday was remanded on bail after he was charged in connection with the death of a woman in Limerick city, two years ago.

Patrick Lawlor, 50s, with an address at Upper Mallow Street, Limerick City, appeared before Limerick District Court, charged with assault causing harm to 54-year old Louise Muckell.

Ms Muckell, a former music teacher and accomplished pianist, was discovered with serious injuries at a house, at Cois Deel, Rathkeale, Co Limerick, July 19th, 2022.

She was pronounced dead from her injuries the following day at University Hospital Limerick.

A postmortem was conducted by the State Pathologist. However, investigating gardaí did not release details of the autopsy.

Ms Muckell had taught piano at Mercy Secondary School, Rathkeale and was a member of a local church choir.

Gardaí believe Ms Muckell had been at a house in the Windmill Street area of Limerick city in the hours prior to being found with serious injuries in Rathkeale.

On Tuesday, gardaí announced they had arrested a man in connection with the investigation into the alleged fatal assault.

Gardaí told Limerick District Court that Mr Lawlor did not reply when he was charged with one count of assaulting Ms Muckell, causing her harm, on a date in July 2022.

Judge Mark O'Connell granted Mr Lawlor free legal aid and allowed him bail on a number of strict conditions which gardaí consented to.

As part of Mr Lawlor’s bail terms he must only reside at his address at Upper Mallow Street, and, he must have no contact whatsoever, including by telephone or social media, with members of Ms Muckell’s family nor any other witnesses involved in the case.

The court also ordered that Mr Lawlor must provide his mobile phone number to gardaí so that he can be contacted by investigating gardaí at any time.

Gardaí told the court that the DPP (Director of Public Prosecution) had consented to Mr Lawlor being sent forward for trial to the Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge O’Connell remanded the matter for mention before Limerick District Court on October 23rd, for preparation of the State’s Book of Evidence.