Man and woman deny murder of man in Co Cork last year

Olivia Kelleher

Two people have denied the murder of a 61-year-old father of four who was found dead at his home in Macroom, Co Cork last year.

Daniel Hourigan (32) and Linda O'Flynn (32) appeared before a sitting of the Central Criminal Court in Cork on Thursday charged with the murder of Michael 'Mikey' Foley last year.

The accused were arraigned before Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford.

Both replied that they were “not guilty of murder but guilty of assisting an offender under Section 7, subsection 2 of the Criminal Law Act, 1997.”

Both are charged with the murder of Michael Foley at a date unknown between January 31st and February 1st 2024 in Macroom, Co Cork.

A jury of seven men and five women were sworn in to hear the murder trial which will open tomorrow. (Friday) The trial is expected to last two weeks and involves in the region of ninety witnesses.

Mr Hourigan was of no fixed abode and Cork Simon Community in Anderson’s Quay in the city. Ms O'Flynn previously resided at Leeside Apartments in Cork.

Mr Foley was discovered dead in his home at Annville Sheltered Housing Complex, Barrett's Place in Macroom on February 6th, 2024.

A murder probe was launched following the completion of a post mortem examination lat Cork University Hospital (CUH) by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster.

Mr Foley was originally from Scartagh in Clonakilty, Co Cork.

He was laid to rest in St Mary’s Cemetery in Clonakilty following requiem mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in the town.