03/08/2006

Third man charged over Tobermore murder

A third man has been charged in connection with the murder of a Scotsman in County Londonderry in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Paul Eric Cecil Johnston, 20, from Park View, Castledawson, County Londonderry, replied "not guilty" when the charge was put to him.

Yesterday, two other men appeared in court in connection with the killing.

John Richard Stewart, 41, and Thomas Rodney Colgan, 29, from King William III Crescent in Maghera, both denied the charge.

All three have been remanded in custody until August 22.

Earlier today, police revealed that a man who was being questioned over causing death by dangerous driving had been released on police bail.

A total of six men were arrested in connection with the killing, two have been released without charge, and a sixth was released on police bail.

Ronald Mackie, 36, and from Kippen, in Stirlingshire in Scotland was attacked by a crowd of men sometime between 1.45am and 2.15am on Saturday, after a row broke out at an event inside the Tobermore United Football Club.

After being beaten, the gang left Mr Mackie in the path of an oncoming vehicle.

The victim was visiting family in Northern Ireland, and had been watching an Orange Parade in Maghera, before going into the Tobermore United Football Club, prior to his murder.

(EF)

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