Menu
03/06/2008
Bar Brawl Recalled At McCartney Trial
The trial of the man accused of killing Short Strand victim, Robert McCartney has heard that his best friend will "never forget," the expression on his alleged killer's face.
Belfast Crown Court yesterday heard witness Brendan Devine describe how he too had been attacked and even had his throat cut.
He allegedly saw 61-year-old Terence Davison "gouging" at Mr McCartney's face. He told prosecuting QC Ciaran Murphy: "I will not forget the expression on his face 'til the day I die."
The accused denies killing the 30-year-old father-of-two in January 2005 while his co-accused, 39-year-old James McCormick and Joseph Fitzpatrick both deny causing an affray.
Mr Devine, who had known Mr McCartney for almost two decades, said they had been drinking and watching football in Magennis's Bar when an argument broke out over a rude gesture which Mr McCartney had made with Davison's wife mistakenly thinking it had been directed at her.
He claimed he had tried to calm the situation down and offered to buy the ladies drinks but that the next thing he knew, he was hit over the head with a bottle and his throat was cut - three times.
Mr Devine said that covered in blood, he went outside with his best friend and two other men but were followed by a gang of up to six men and chased into nearby Market Street.
As he fled the scene, Mr Devine told the court he looked back and saw Mr McCartney standing "with his hands up shouting 'nobody deserves this' and that as he walked back towards him, he saw Davison "gouging at his face."
See: Police reissue McCartney murder appeal
(BMcC)
Belfast Crown Court yesterday heard witness Brendan Devine describe how he too had been attacked and even had his throat cut.
He allegedly saw 61-year-old Terence Davison "gouging" at Mr McCartney's face. He told prosecuting QC Ciaran Murphy: "I will not forget the expression on his face 'til the day I die."
The accused denies killing the 30-year-old father-of-two in January 2005 while his co-accused, 39-year-old James McCormick and Joseph Fitzpatrick both deny causing an affray.
Mr Devine, who had known Mr McCartney for almost two decades, said they had been drinking and watching football in Magennis's Bar when an argument broke out over a rude gesture which Mr McCartney had made with Davison's wife mistakenly thinking it had been directed at her.
He claimed he had tried to calm the situation down and offered to buy the ladies drinks but that the next thing he knew, he was hit over the head with a bottle and his throat was cut - three times.
Mr Devine said that covered in blood, he went outside with his best friend and two other men but were followed by a gang of up to six men and chased into nearby Market Street.
As he fled the scene, Mr Devine told the court he looked back and saw Mr McCartney standing "with his hands up shouting 'nobody deserves this' and that as he walked back towards him, he saw Davison "gouging at his face."
See: Police reissue McCartney murder appeal
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 March 2005
Peace process in ‘deep crisis’, says McGuinness
Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness has said that the peace process is in “deep crisis” and that a collective effort is needed to rebuild it. Speaking at a meeting of party election workers in Belfast on Monday, the Mid Ulster MP said that the British and Irish governments wanted to reduce all problematic issues to one single issue – the IRA.
Peace process in ‘deep crisis’, says McGuinness
Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness has said that the peace process is in “deep crisis” and that a collective effort is needed to rebuild it. Speaking at a meeting of party election workers in Belfast on Monday, the Mid Ulster MP said that the British and Irish governments wanted to reduce all problematic issues to one single issue – the IRA.
03 June 2005
Man to appear in court charged with McCartney murder
A 49-year-old man is to appear at Laganside Magistrates Court on Saturday morning charged with the murder of Belfast man Robert McCartney. A second man, 36, is also due in court charged with the attempted murder of Brendan Devine who was seriously injured during the same incident on January 30 outside a Belfast bar.
Man to appear in court charged with McCartney murder
A 49-year-old man is to appear at Laganside Magistrates Court on Saturday morning charged with the murder of Belfast man Robert McCartney. A second man, 36, is also due in court charged with the attempted murder of Brendan Devine who was seriously injured during the same incident on January 30 outside a Belfast bar.
27 June 2008
McCartney Accused Innocent
The man accused of killing Belfast man Robert McCartney in a city centre pub has been acquitted. The trial ended at Belfast Crown Court earlier this month with a verdict announced today. The man acquitted, Terence Davison, 51, of Belfast, had denied murder.
McCartney Accused Innocent
The man accused of killing Belfast man Robert McCartney in a city centre pub has been acquitted. The trial ended at Belfast Crown Court earlier this month with a verdict announced today. The man acquitted, Terence Davison, 51, of Belfast, had denied murder.
15 February 2005
Adams denies republican involvement in killing
Gerry Adams has hit out at the killers of Belfast man Robert McCartney amid accusations that republicans were hindering police efforts to find the perpetrators behind the murder.
Adams denies republican involvement in killing
Gerry Adams has hit out at the killers of Belfast man Robert McCartney amid accusations that republicans were hindering police efforts to find the perpetrators behind the murder.
21 May 2008
McCartney Accused 'Seen' By Witness
As the case against the man accused of killing Robert McCartney, 33, - who was beaten and stabbed to death outside a bar near Belfast city centre on 30 January 2005 - opened today, a Crown lawyer has told Belfast Crown Court that a witness will say that the accused delivered the fatal stab wound and then kicked Mr McCartney in the head.
McCartney Accused 'Seen' By Witness
As the case against the man accused of killing Robert McCartney, 33, - who was beaten and stabbed to death outside a bar near Belfast city centre on 30 January 2005 - opened today, a Crown lawyer has told Belfast Crown Court that a witness will say that the accused delivered the fatal stab wound and then kicked Mr McCartney in the head.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
