24/02/2012

Man Admits Nightclub Murder

A 33-year-old man has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Trevor Spiers outside a nightclub back in 2009.

Francis Paul McCormick, 33, one of four men who had already admitted involvement in the fight that lead to the death of Spiers, has admitted responsibility.

Mr McCormick "accepts he is responsibile for the death of Mr Spiers, but that he did not intend to kill him or to cause him really serious harm".

Spiers, 28, died of brain injuries after a fight broke out outside Shenanigans' in Portstewart on 3 December, 2009.

Earlier in the week Coleraine man Francis Paul McCormick, McCormick's 22-year-old nephew Paul McCormick from Edenmore Way, Ballymoney and 33-year-old Luke McArthur from Portstewart Road, and 25-year-old Robert Peter Henderson, of Greenhall Manor, both Coleraine all admitted to involvement in the fight.

Paul McCormick from Edenmore Way, Ballymoney, also pleaded guilty to assaulting Michael Paul Black, who was injured during the fighting. While Henderson also admitted assisting offenders by disposing of a necklace.

The trial continues.

(LB)

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