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24/04/2006
Man admits to Megan McAlorum murder
A man accused of murdering a Belfast teenager two years ago has admitted to the crime moments before the murder trial was due to begin.
Thomas Purcell, 19, from Windsor Road, Belfast had continually denied murdering 16-year-old Megan McAlorum from Dunmurry.
Megan's body was found on a desolate stretch of land in a forested area near the Glenside Road area of Dunmurry on 12 April 2004.
Thomas Purcell was arrested a few days later.
The murder trial was due to commence this morning at Craigavon Crown Court, but at the last minute the defendant changed his plea to guilty.
Megan was a former pupil of St Genevieve's High School and had spent Easter Sunday 2004 with friends in the Hunting Lodge bar in west Belfast.
Police believed that Megan left the bar at around midnight and made her way towards her home in Glencolm Way near Lenadoon.
Her body was discovered the next day and it was reported that she had suffered serious head injuries.
Thomas Purcell is due to appear before the same court on May 26.
(EF/GB)
Thomas Purcell, 19, from Windsor Road, Belfast had continually denied murdering 16-year-old Megan McAlorum from Dunmurry.
Megan's body was found on a desolate stretch of land in a forested area near the Glenside Road area of Dunmurry on 12 April 2004.
Thomas Purcell was arrested a few days later.
The murder trial was due to commence this morning at Craigavon Crown Court, but at the last minute the defendant changed his plea to guilty.
Megan was a former pupil of St Genevieve's High School and had spent Easter Sunday 2004 with friends in the Hunting Lodge bar in west Belfast.
Police believed that Megan left the bar at around midnight and made her way towards her home in Glencolm Way near Lenadoon.
Her body was discovered the next day and it was reported that she had suffered serious head injuries.
Thomas Purcell is due to appear before the same court on May 26.
(EF/GB)
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31 May 2006
Teenager given 15-years for schoolgirl's murder
The teenager who admitted murdering a west Belfast schoolgirl, has been told that he must serve a minimum of 15-years in prison.
Teenager given 15-years for schoolgirl's murder
The teenager who admitted murdering a west Belfast schoolgirl, has been told that he must serve a minimum of 15-years in prison.
27 June 2006
Victim's mother calls for tougher sentences
The mother of murdered west Belfast schoolgirl Megan McAlorum is to meet with the British Attorney General Lord Goldsmith in London today as part of her campaign to make sure that her daughter's murderer serves life behind bars.
Victim's mother calls for tougher sentences
The mother of murdered west Belfast schoolgirl Megan McAlorum is to meet with the British Attorney General Lord Goldsmith in London today as part of her campaign to make sure that her daughter's murderer serves life behind bars.
15 April 2004
Second man arrested in teenage murder hunt
A second man has been arrested by police in connection with the murder of a west Belfast girl. The arrest comes a day after police were granted a further 12 hour extension to question a man arrested on Tuesday in connection with the murder. Police who arrested the man were granted the extension to question him further, until 8pm on Wednesday.
Second man arrested in teenage murder hunt
A second man has been arrested by police in connection with the murder of a west Belfast girl. The arrest comes a day after police were granted a further 12 hour extension to question a man arrested on Tuesday in connection with the murder. Police who arrested the man were granted the extension to question him further, until 8pm on Wednesday.
14 April 2004
Man questioned in connection with teenager's murder
A man is being questioned by police in connection with the murder of a teenage girl in west Belfast. Megan McAlorum's body was found on a desolate stretch of land, in an area of forest, half a mile from her Dunmurry home on Monday. The man was arrested on Tuesday after Megan's parents made an emotional plea for help in finding her killer.
Man questioned in connection with teenager's murder
A man is being questioned by police in connection with the murder of a teenage girl in west Belfast. Megan McAlorum's body was found on a desolate stretch of land, in an area of forest, half a mile from her Dunmurry home on Monday. The man was arrested on Tuesday after Megan's parents made an emotional plea for help in finding her killer.
27 April 2004
Man refused bail in McAlorum murder case
A 24-year-old man accused of withholding information into the murder of west Belfast teenager, Megan McAlorum has been refused bail. Charles Joseph Dundon, of no fixed address, had his bail application turned down at the High Court in Belfast on Tuesday. Dundon appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court last week in connection with her murder.
Man refused bail in McAlorum murder case
A 24-year-old man accused of withholding information into the murder of west Belfast teenager, Megan McAlorum has been refused bail. Charles Joseph Dundon, of no fixed address, had his bail application turned down at the High Court in Belfast on Tuesday. Dundon appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court last week in connection with her murder.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
