12/03/2014

Soldier Held Over NI Corporal Death

A 23-year-old serving soldier has been charged with murdering a Northern Irish corporal who was found dead at army barracks in England.

Lance Corporal Richard Farrell has appeared in court accused of killing Cpl Geoffrey McNeill. He was remanded following his appearance at Telford Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Farrell, a member of 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, spoke only to confirm his name, age, date of birth.

He is based at Clive Barracks in Tern Hill, north Shropshire, where the body of Cpl McNeill was found on Saturday 8 March.

The 32-year-old soldier from Ballymoney in County Antrim and was educated in nearby Coleraine.

Cpl Farrell was charged by West Mercia Police on Tuesday night and remanded in custody to appear at a hearing at Shrewsbury Crown Court on 31 March.

(IT/MH)

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