Menu
15/01/2008
US Bar Owner Charged For Killing Belfast-Born Barman
A US bar owner has been charged with killing a 60-year-old former north Belfast man, Seamus O'Neill, who was bludgeoned to death.
The body was found in the basement of a bar in Philadelphia, by his wife Bonnie and his brother.
Mr O'Neill's family went looking for him on January 3 in Port Richmond because he did not return home from work.
They saw his car parked near McWhitey's, asked an employee if they could look around, and found his body.
The man suspected of killing Mr O'Neill - John McLaughlin (36) – is the operator of the bar in Port Richmond where Mr O'Neill's body was discovered wrapped in plastic tarp and duct tape.
Police said they believe McLaughlin beat Mr O'Neill to death with a baseball bat.
He has been charged with murder, possession of an instrument of a crime, abuse of corpse and conspiracy.
A second suspect, John Ciglar (44), was also arrested and charged with abuse of corpse, hindering apprehension, obstruction, possession of an instrument of a crime and conspiracy.
Mr O'Neill, a popular bartender in Port Richmond, had been missing for two days when his body was discovered.
US police said that when Mr O'Neill had finished work on January 2 he stopped for a drink and to socialise at McWhitey's bar which McLaughlin operated.
It is understood Mr O'Neill was friendly with McLaughlin but got into an argument over a trivial matter and police believe the confrontation turned violent.
Authorities believe McLaughlin began beating Mr O'Neill, possibly with a baseball bat, and killed him.
Ciglar is accused of helping clean up in the bar and wrap the body.
Detectives believe the body was found just before the men were preparing to remove it.
Mr O'Neill, originally from Duncairn Parade Belfast, had been in America for nearly 30 years.
See: Ulsterman Brutually Murdered In US Bar
(BMcC)
The body was found in the basement of a bar in Philadelphia, by his wife Bonnie and his brother.
Mr O'Neill's family went looking for him on January 3 in Port Richmond because he did not return home from work.
They saw his car parked near McWhitey's, asked an employee if they could look around, and found his body.
The man suspected of killing Mr O'Neill - John McLaughlin (36) – is the operator of the bar in Port Richmond where Mr O'Neill's body was discovered wrapped in plastic tarp and duct tape.
Police said they believe McLaughlin beat Mr O'Neill to death with a baseball bat.
He has been charged with murder, possession of an instrument of a crime, abuse of corpse and conspiracy.
A second suspect, John Ciglar (44), was also arrested and charged with abuse of corpse, hindering apprehension, obstruction, possession of an instrument of a crime and conspiracy.
Mr O'Neill, a popular bartender in Port Richmond, had been missing for two days when his body was discovered.
US police said that when Mr O'Neill had finished work on January 2 he stopped for a drink and to socialise at McWhitey's bar which McLaughlin operated.
It is understood Mr O'Neill was friendly with McLaughlin but got into an argument over a trivial matter and police believe the confrontation turned violent.
Authorities believe McLaughlin began beating Mr O'Neill, possibly with a baseball bat, and killed him.
Ciglar is accused of helping clean up in the bar and wrap the body.
Detectives believe the body was found just before the men were preparing to remove it.
Mr O'Neill, originally from Duncairn Parade Belfast, had been in America for nearly 30 years.
See: Ulsterman Brutually Murdered In US Bar
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
31 August 2023
Man Charged With Murder Of Cornelius O'Neill
A 33-year-old man has been charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of Cornelius O'Neill near Kilera, in Co L’Derry. The PSNI were alerted to an incident at a property on Fallahogey Terrace at around 4.50pm on Tuesday, 29 August. Mr O’Neill, aged 56, was trounced dead at the scene. The suspect is due to appear in court on Thursday.
Man Charged With Murder Of Cornelius O'Neill
A 33-year-old man has been charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of Cornelius O'Neill near Kilera, in Co L’Derry. The PSNI were alerted to an incident at a property on Fallahogey Terrace at around 4.50pm on Tuesday, 29 August. Mr O’Neill, aged 56, was trounced dead at the scene. The suspect is due to appear in court on Thursday.
02 April 2008
IRA Killer Back In Jail
A member of the IRA who had been released under the Good Friday Agreement has been sent back to jail, this time for attempted murder. Robert Duffy, 36, from Old Bridge, Toberna, Dundalk, pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Colin O'Neill by shooting him in the face with a shotgun in 2007.
IRA Killer Back In Jail
A member of the IRA who had been released under the Good Friday Agreement has been sent back to jail, this time for attempted murder. Robert Duffy, 36, from Old Bridge, Toberna, Dundalk, pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Colin O'Neill by shooting him in the face with a shotgun in 2007.
08 January 2008
Ulsterman Brutually Murdered In US Bar
A bar room attack has left a north Belfast man – who had been living in the USA – dead. Seamus O'Neill - who came originally from Duncairn Parade - was identified last Friday by his wife, Bonnie, and brother in the basement of a bar in Philadelphia.
Ulsterman Brutually Murdered In US Bar
A bar room attack has left a north Belfast man – who had been living in the USA – dead. Seamus O'Neill - who came originally from Duncairn Parade - was identified last Friday by his wife, Bonnie, and brother in the basement of a bar in Philadelphia.
15 April 2009
Teen Remanded On Pensioner Murder Charges
A 16-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, was today remanded in custody for a week on charges connected to a murder. The court appearance followed the discovery of the body of 78-year-old Francis O'Neill, a former psychiatric nurse, in his home in Brook Valley on Saturday morning.
Teen Remanded On Pensioner Murder Charges
A 16-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, was today remanded in custody for a week on charges connected to a murder. The court appearance followed the discovery of the body of 78-year-old Francis O'Neill, a former psychiatric nurse, in his home in Brook Valley on Saturday morning.
09 January 2003
Lurgan man guilty of blast bomb killing
A man has been found guilty of manslaughter after a bomb attack in Portadown, Co Armagh, three years ago. Philip Joseph Blaney, 37, of Shimna Walk in Lurgan, was convicted for his role in the killing of Elizabeth O'Neill on June 5 1999. He was found to have been a member of the four-man loyalist gang which carried out the bomb attack.
Lurgan man guilty of blast bomb killing
A man has been found guilty of manslaughter after a bomb attack in Portadown, Co Armagh, three years ago. Philip Joseph Blaney, 37, of Shimna Walk in Lurgan, was convicted for his role in the killing of Elizabeth O'Neill on June 5 1999. He was found to have been a member of the four-man loyalist gang which carried out the bomb attack.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
