27/11/2001
Poyntzpass killers cleared of assault charge
Two County Down men convicted of the murders of two friends in Poyntzpass have been acquitted of causing grievous bodily harm to a Banbridge man.
Stephen McClean, 32, and Noel McCready, 34, were convicted last year for the murders of life-long friends Philip Allen and Damien Trainor in Poyntzpass in County Armagh in 1998.
The Catholic and Protestant men were both shot dead in the Railway Bar in a murder for which the paramilitary Loyalist Volunteer Force said it was responsible.
Clearing the men of the assault charge on Tuesday November 27, Mr Justice Girvan said that while Mr Butler was clearly the victim of an assault his evidence was unsatisfactory.
The men said following their acquittal in court on Tuesday November 27, they intended to appeal the decision to keep them in jail.
Last July McClean and McCready were released early under the terms of Good Friday Agreement political accord. However, while out of prison on home leave in July, they were arrested and accused of attacking Keith Butler, 40, from Banbridge in County Down during an argument over a loyalist paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force flag. (AMcE)
Stephen McClean, 32, and Noel McCready, 34, were convicted last year for the murders of life-long friends Philip Allen and Damien Trainor in Poyntzpass in County Armagh in 1998.
The Catholic and Protestant men were both shot dead in the Railway Bar in a murder for which the paramilitary Loyalist Volunteer Force said it was responsible.
Clearing the men of the assault charge on Tuesday November 27, Mr Justice Girvan said that while Mr Butler was clearly the victim of an assault his evidence was unsatisfactory.
The men said following their acquittal in court on Tuesday November 27, they intended to appeal the decision to keep them in jail.
Last July McClean and McCready were released early under the terms of Good Friday Agreement political accord. However, while out of prison on home leave in July, they were arrested and accused of attacking Keith Butler, 40, from Banbridge in County Down during an argument over a loyalist paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force flag. (AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 March 2024
15-Year-Old Arrested Following Stabbing In Lisburn
A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the stabbing of a 14-year-old in the Knockmore Road area of Lisburn last night, Monday 25th March. Police have said that at approximately 7.40pm on Monday 25 March, a 14-year-old boy had been approached by a group of teenagers, before being stabbed in the lower back.
15-Year-Old Arrested Following Stabbing In Lisburn
A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the stabbing of a 14-year-old in the Knockmore Road area of Lisburn last night, Monday 25th March. Police have said that at approximately 7.40pm on Monday 25 March, a 14-year-old boy had been approached by a group of teenagers, before being stabbed in the lower back.
25 March 2024
Woman Charged In Connection With Serious Assault In Comber
PSNI detectives investigating a serious assault in Comber, Co Down, have issued an appeal for help in tracing a man wanted for questioning in connection with the incident.
Woman Charged In Connection With Serious Assault In Comber
PSNI detectives investigating a serious assault in Comber, Co Down, have issued an appeal for help in tracing a man wanted for questioning in connection with the incident.
19 March 2024
Appeal Following Serious Assault And Robbery In Antrim
PSNI detectives have issued an appeal for information and witnesses after a man was assaulted and robbed in Antrim during the early hours of Monday, 18 March. The 26-year-old was walking in an alleyway adjacent to Seacash Drive at around 3.50am when he was approached by two men.
Appeal Following Serious Assault And Robbery In Antrim
PSNI detectives have issued an appeal for information and witnesses after a man was assaulted and robbed in Antrim during the early hours of Monday, 18 March. The 26-year-old was walking in an alleyway adjacent to Seacash Drive at around 3.50am when he was approached by two men.
13 March 2024
Man Jailed For Manslaughter Of David James Conville
A 31-year-old man has been jailed at Belfast Crown Court for the manslaughter of David James Conville in south Belfast in May, 2022. Edward Kelly was sentenced to serve three-and-a-half years, half of his sentence will be served in custody and half will be served on licence, following his guilty plea last November.
Man Jailed For Manslaughter Of David James Conville
A 31-year-old man has been jailed at Belfast Crown Court for the manslaughter of David James Conville in south Belfast in May, 2022. Edward Kelly was sentenced to serve three-and-a-half years, half of his sentence will be served in custody and half will be served on licence, following his guilty plea last November.
06 May 2003
Guns stolen in Co Antrim assault
Police are appealing for information after a gang assaulted a man and stole his guns in Co Antrim. The masked men forced their way into the man's home in Burnbrae in Bushmills at around 1.30am on Tuesday morning. They hit the man before tying his hands behind his back and escaping with three guns.
Guns stolen in Co Antrim assault
Police are appealing for information after a gang assaulted a man and stole his guns in Co Antrim. The masked men forced their way into the man's home in Burnbrae in Bushmills at around 1.30am on Tuesday morning. They hit the man before tying his hands behind his back and escaping with three guns.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry this morning with sunny spells then scattered showers breaking out this afternoon. A chilly start then feeling warmer in afternoon sunshine. Light southerly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Any showers at first soon dying out. Then dry overnight with clear periods and turning chilly with a touch of frost later tonight. Minimum temperature 1 °C.