Murder Suspects Are Themselves Under Threat

Two men who have been charged with murder have themselves been targeted by friends of the man they allegedly killed.

Friends of the deceased Dungannon foreign national are plotting to kill the two Lithuanians accused of beating the victim to death, the High Court has heard.

The apparent threat against defendants, Ricardas Stonkus and Vaidotas Stirbys was made after the murder of fellow countryman Donotas Veleeka earlier this month.

Opposing a bail application by Mr Stonkus - which was refused - a prosecution lawyer claimed tensions had soared among Lithuanians in the Country Tyrone town.

While both men deny Mr Veleeka's murder who was assaulted outside a bar, and died later in hospital, the judge said that even if the murder charge against Mr Stonkus, 20, proved unsuccessful, there was still strong evidence of a serious assault.

Refusing bail, he also said he feared Mr Stonkus, who has an address in Dungannon, might leave Northern Ireland.

(BMcC)