in the dock Irish gangland murder suspect appears in UK court charged with fatal hit-and-run

A man who is suspected of involvement in the execution of Limerick crime boss Kieran Keane has appeared in a UK court in connection with a fatal hit-and-run.

Keith McCarthy denied murdering dad-of-three, Kerrin Repman, in a crash April 15, 2020.

McCarthy (42) was charged with murder in February after being extradited back to the UK from Ireland.

He is alleged to have killed Mr Repman (29), who died after his motorcycle collided with a BMW in Marine Parade, Dovercourt, on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 15, 2020.

McCarthy also faces a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to the same incident.

A woman, aged in her 80s, was also involved in the crash and suffered life-changing injuries.

During a short hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday, McCarthy, of Hordle Street, Dovercourt, denied both charges.

McCarthy is suspected of being involved in the murder of Kieran Keane in 2003, which ignited a deadly Limerick feud.

Five members of the notorious McCarthy/Dundon - including Dessie Dundon - gang are currently serving life sentences for the crime.

Keane and Owen Treacy were abducted by members of the McCarthy Dundon crime gang and driven to a lonely country road at Drombana, located a short distance outside Limerick city.

Keane (36) was shot in the head, and Mr Treacy, who received 17 stab wounds, miraculously survived after he played dead.

Mr Treacy was dumped by the gang at the side of the road, beside the body of his dead uncle, however he managed to raise the alarm at a nearby house and was rushed by ambulance to hospital.

He later became the State’s key witness in the murder trial.

Yesterday, Judge Christopher Morgan remanded Keith McCarthy in custody at HMP Chelmsford until a further case management hearing on July 29.

A trial, which is expected to last around four weeks, is expected to take place in October.

Turning to the defendant, he said: “Mr McCarthy, you will be produced July 29, if that is the date for the further case management hearing, and you should attend to assist your legal team.

“When your trial is called on, if you fail to attend then one of the consequences may well be – if there’s no good reason – that the trial firstly will take place in your absence and it may well be that your legal representatives will have to withdraw.

“I’m sure you will be here, but you must understand there are consequences for your case if you are not.”

Mr Repman, who worked as a chef, was remembered by his family as a “loveable and talented” man.