Glenshane Pass Death 'Warning' By Accused Revealed

A court case connected to the mysterious death of a man - Gregory Woods (41) from Castledawson - who was found dead close to Glenshane Forest last Tuesday, has been given a further twist after it emerged that one of the two men charged in connection with the killing had himself alerted police over fears for the dead man's safety.

The court in Londonderry was told that Dean Porter (39) from Ballynahone Road, Maghera, had been charged with the unlawful killing of Mr Woods and that Niall Regan (29), from Largantogher Park (also Maghera) was charged with the unlawful imprisonment of Mr Woods.

Detective Sergeant Paul Meikle said that he could connect both men to the charges and that police were opposed to bail for the pair.

He said that both had substance and alcohol abuse issues and there was also a risk that both men would interfere with witnesses, possibly re-offend and potentially abscond.

The officer added that there was also risk to the defendants' safety, saying that public interest in the case was high and that there were " community tensions" as Mr Woods was well known in the locality.

However when questioned by Regan's solicitor, he agreed that the defendant had alerted police and "raised the alarm" about the safety of the deceased.

His solicitor said his client, who denies the offence, is a divorced man with three children and has strong family ties to the area.

He said that he accepted the charge was a "very serious" one.

Resident Magistrate Harry Coll said: "I owe a duty to the community at large to refuse bail."

The pair will appear again in court in Magherafelt via videolink on March 4.

Meanwhile, Detectives probing the death have again appealed for information.

It emerged that some people are afraid to come forward with information about the death, a police officer has told the court.

Detectives still want speak to anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the Main Street area of Maghera on the night of Sunday, 3 February.

In particular they want to speak to anyone who noticed anything unusual in an alleyway running into St Lurach's Road and a nearby car park.

(BMcC)