TWO MEN HAVE appeared before Cork District Court charged with the murder of a 29-year-old man who died in hospital in January of this year as a result of injuries he sustained the previous month.

Ricardo Hoey (20) of Ardcarrig in Carrigaline, Co Cork and Jordan Deasy (19) of Ravensdale, Heron’s Road, Carrigaline were both previously charged with assault causing harm to Matt O’Neill.

Both men saw the charges in their case upgraded to murder this morning.

The men were charged with the murder of Mr O’Neill at Glenwood Grove, Carrigaline on 28 December, 2022.

Det Garda Declan Healy gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. He said both men made no reply when the charges were put to them under caution.

Sgt Pat Lyons told Judge Olann Kelleher that the DPP had directed trial on indictment at the Central Criminal Court in both cases.

Solicitor Frank Buttimer, representing Mr Hoey, said that a Book of Evidence would be required. He indicated that his client would be pleading not guilty.

Eddie Burke, solicitor, speaking on behalf of Jordan Deasy said that his client would be pleading not guilty. He stated that a book of evidence would be required.

Judge Kelleher remanded both men in custody as bail cannot be granted at District Court level.

Both men will appear before Cork District Court again on 21 June.

They will appear via video link on that occasion.

Mr O’Neill from Glenwood in Carrigaline, Co Cork passed away on 8 January last at Cork University Hospital (CUH) with his parents Pat and Eileen at his side.

At his requiem mass in the Church of the Real Presence, Curraheen Road in Cork his father Pat said that Matt was “the body and soul” of his heartbroken family.

He said his beloved only child had enriched the life of his family. 

“His name was in my phone as ‘Body & Soul’ – that’s what came up every time he rang me. And that is what he was – our body and soul.

“During the week, one of Matt’s lovely friends sent us a message and it really said it (all) about Matt. She said Matt was a real sweetheart, he was kind and caring”.

Matt is survived by his parents, his grandmother Josephine, uncles, aunts, cousins, relatives and friends.