Witnesses 'Threatened' After McDaid Murder

Five witnesses are under threat following the murder of Catholic youth worker Kevin McDaid, the High Court has heard today.

The details emerged as one of the men accused of the 49-year-old Coleraine man's murder applied for bail.

Christopher McDowell, 33, of Glebe Avenue, Coleraine, is one of nine people charged in relation to the attack on Mr McDaid and another man on 24 May.

He is accused of the attempted murder of another local man, Damien Fleming, who was badly beaten and seriously injured in the mob attack.

A prosecution barrister today confirmed that since the murder, two witnesses have received police warnings that their lives are in danger.

Meanwhile, a further three people have claimed they received direct threats ordering them to leave the Coleraine area.

A 34-year-old man appeared at Coleraine Magistrates Court this morning charged with the attempted murder of Damian Fleming.

Philip Kane, of Brook Street in the town, was remanded in custody.

The court heard the accused had an alibi, but a detective sergeant said a large number of people did not corroborate the alibi.

Mr Fleming was left critically ill after being set upon by a loyalist mob close to his Heights estate home last month.

His friend Kevin McDaid was beaten to death by the gang when violence erupted after a contentious football match on Sunday 24 May.

Another nine men have been charged in relation to the murder of Mr McDaid and the attempted murder of Mr Fleming.

Kane is due to appear in court from prison via video link on June 8.

It is believed trouble flared when Rangers beat rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premier League. Reports suggest loyalists were incensed when tricolours were erected in the predominantly nationalist Heights area.

Police have said the Coleraine attacks were sectarian. Mr McDaid's family has questioned the police's response to the incident.

They have formally complained to the Police Ombudsman.

(PR/JM)