Man faces manslaughter charge over fatal incident in Kerry village

One man was arrested early on Monday while a second man, in his 20s, was arrested later on in the day.

Both men were initially detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda station in the Kerry division.

At a special sitting before Judge Alan Mitchell at Listowel District Court on Tuesday evening, Kieran Brady, aged 35, of Athea, Limerick, was charged with Mr Kennelly’s manslaughter.

Det Garda Tim Walsh said Mr Brady made no reply when he charged him at 5.17pm at Listowel Garda Station.

Bail was opposed on the grounds that there was a likelihood of a custodial sentence and there was a possibility that Mr Brady could be a flight risk.

The solicitor for Mr Brady, Pat Mann, applied for bail, saying that his client was in a stable relationship with his partner – who is pregnant.

Added to that, Mr Mann said his client would be happy to sign on at Listowel Garda Station twice a day, as he only lives a short distance away.

The judge did not grant bail, and said one of the reasons was the seriousness of the charge against Mr Brady. Mr Mann said he would appeal to the High Court about the refusal to grant bail.

Mr Brady was remanded in custody to appear at Killarney District Court on June 4.

A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the inquiry into Mr Kennelly’s death, and an incident room has been established at Listowel Garda Station.

Gardaí are appealing to the public for information in relation to this incident.