Man in court on Derry murder charge
A 58-year-old man has appeared in Londonderry Magistrates’ Court charged with the murder of Barry McCrory.
Kieran McLaughlin, who was arrested in Derry’s Galliagh area on Wednesday, spoke only to confirm his name and say that he understood the charges during the brief hearing.
McLaughlin, of Elaghmore Park, is also accused of possessing a shotgun and a quantity of cartridges with intent to endanger life.
In court a detective constable said he believed he could connect McLaughlin to the murder charge.
Under questioning from a defence solicitor the officer confirmed there was no terrorist link to the case.
Court documents show that when police charged McLaughlin with the murder of Mr McCrory he replied: “Not guilty. This is a media smear campaign.”
There was no application for bail and he was remanded in custody to appear via video-link in court next month.
Mr McCrory, 35, was shot dead in a flat in Shipquay Street in Derry city centre on 10 October.
The murder sparked a major police manhunt which lasted over six days.
Security was tight as McLaughlin was brought to the Bishops Street courthouse on Saturday morning.
A small band of supporters called out and applauded, in response McLaughlin raised two hands bound by handcuffs.
