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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)
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