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26/01/2007
Loyalist to face retrial over murder charge
The Court of Appeal has today ruled that a man cleared of a murder during the loyalist feud, will have to stand trial again.
William `Mo` Courtney, 43, had been released from prison in November last year after a court ruling that he had no case to answer on a charges relating to the 2003 murder of 21-year-old Alan McCullough.
Today's decision was the first time in Northern Ireland when the Crown appealed against a judge's decision.
It is understood that the new trial will be heard by a different judge.
The Lord Chief Justice, Sir Brian Kerr, who heard the Crown's application with Lord Justice Campbell and Mr Justice Coghlin, said: "We are satisfied that the interests of justice require that the defendant stand trial on the first count of the indictment."
The Crown had not sought a retrial on a second charge of UDA/UFF membership.
Sir Brian said the court was satisfied that if Mr Justice McLaughlin had taken all the evidence into account on an all-encompassing basis he would have found that there was sufficient evidence to raise a prima facie case against McCullough, notwithstanding the frailties of the evidence.
Alan McCullough went missing in 2003, after returning to Northern Ireland after having fled to England to avoid the loyalist feud.
Mr McCullough's family were told that he would not be harmed if he returned home, however, when he did, he was taken from his mothers house on May 28 2003 and shot in the head.
His remains were found in a shallow grave in Mallusk over a week later.
(EF)
William `Mo` Courtney, 43, had been released from prison in November last year after a court ruling that he had no case to answer on a charges relating to the 2003 murder of 21-year-old Alan McCullough.
Today's decision was the first time in Northern Ireland when the Crown appealed against a judge's decision.
It is understood that the new trial will be heard by a different judge.
The Lord Chief Justice, Sir Brian Kerr, who heard the Crown's application with Lord Justice Campbell and Mr Justice Coghlin, said: "We are satisfied that the interests of justice require that the defendant stand trial on the first count of the indictment."
The Crown had not sought a retrial on a second charge of UDA/UFF membership.
Sir Brian said the court was satisfied that if Mr Justice McLaughlin had taken all the evidence into account on an all-encompassing basis he would have found that there was sufficient evidence to raise a prima facie case against McCullough, notwithstanding the frailties of the evidence.
Alan McCullough went missing in 2003, after returning to Northern Ireland after having fled to England to avoid the loyalist feud.
Mr McCullough's family were told that he would not be harmed if he returned home, however, when he did, he was taken from his mothers house on May 28 2003 and shot in the head.
His remains were found in a shallow grave in Mallusk over a week later.
(EF)
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08 January 2004
Life sentencing consultation plans issued
A proposal to follow the lead of England and Wales and introduce starting-points for minimum life sentence terms for murder convictions in Northern Ireland, was issued for public consultation today. It follows an announcment on Monday by Home Secretary, David Blunkett to introduce 'life to mean life' sentencing tariffs in specific instances.
Life sentencing consultation plans issued
A proposal to follow the lead of England and Wales and introduce starting-points for minimum life sentence terms for murder convictions in Northern Ireland, was issued for public consultation today. It follows an announcment on Monday by Home Secretary, David Blunkett to introduce 'life to mean life' sentencing tariffs in specific instances.
07 March 2008
100 Break-Ins Burglar Behind Bars.
A man convicted of over 100 burglaries has been sentenced to 4 and a half years in prison. James Dean Meneely, 39, from Rogan Manor in Newtownabbey, pleaded guilty to 46 residential burglaries, two business break-ins and asked 55 further offences be taken into consideration.
100 Break-Ins Burglar Behind Bars.
A man convicted of over 100 burglaries has been sentenced to 4 and a half years in prison. James Dean Meneely, 39, from Rogan Manor in Newtownabbey, pleaded guilty to 46 residential burglaries, two business break-ins and asked 55 further offences be taken into consideration.
12 November 2001
Devolution of powers on policing and justice set for 2003
The British Government has published an intensive implementation plan to enable the transfer of powers responsible for policing and justice in Northern Ireland from Westminster to Stormont by May 2003.
Devolution of powers on policing and justice set for 2003
The British Government has published an intensive implementation plan to enable the transfer of powers responsible for policing and justice in Northern Ireland from Westminster to Stormont by May 2003.
28 July 2003
Police custody suites broadly ‘satisfactory’
Independent inspectors have found that the conditions inside PSNI custody suites are, in general, entirely satisfactory, the Northern Ireland Policing Board have announced.
Police custody suites broadly ‘satisfactory’
Independent inspectors have found that the conditions inside PSNI custody suites are, in general, entirely satisfactory, the Northern Ireland Policing Board have announced.
30 September 2004
Don’t make burglars a present of your property, says University
The University of Ulster is stepping up its campaign to help students living in south Belfast to protect themselves against burglars. Plans are in place to issue text messages, e-mails, leaflets and posters outlining how students can protect their property from the thieves with a community video also in the works.
Don’t make burglars a present of your property, says University
The University of Ulster is stepping up its campaign to help students living in south Belfast to protect themselves against burglars. Plans are in place to issue text messages, e-mails, leaflets and posters outlining how students can protect their property from the thieves with a community video also in the works.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with some patchy rain, this turning heavier for a time across the north and west. Fresh to strong westerly winds, easing later. Mild. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Any rain clearing north with a dry evening, further rain will move south in the early hours, turning showery later in the night, remaining mild. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
