Two people deny murder of father of four (61) in Co Cork last year

Olivia Kelleher

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

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

The accused, who are both aged 32, 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 defendants are charged with the murder of Michael Foley at a date unknown between January 31st and February 1st, 2024, both dates inclusive, in Macroom, Co Cork.

A jury of nine men and three women were sworn in to hear the evidence at the murder trial. The case will open on Thursday and is expected to last around a fortnight.

Mr Hourigan is originally from Farranree on the northside of Cork city. Ms O'Flynn previously resided at Hollyhill in the city.

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 at Cork University Hospital by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster.

Mr Foley was a native of Scartagh in Clonakilty, Co Cork. He was laid to rest in St Mary’s Cemetery in Clonakilty following a requiem mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in the town.