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'Attacks on witnesses to murder' 'Attacks on witnesses to murder'
(4 days later)
Attacks have been carried out on potential witnesses to the murder of a father of three, the High Court has heard.Attacks have been carried out on potential witnesses to the murder of a father of three, the High Court has heard.
Prosecutors alleged ongoing intimidation was hampering police inquiries into the stabbing of Eamonn Hughes in Dungannon.Prosecutors alleged ongoing intimidation was hampering police inquiries into the stabbing of Eamonn Hughes in Dungannon.
Mr Hughes, 48, was attacked as he and his family walked home last September.Mr Hughes, 48, was attacked as he and his family walked home last September.
One of the suspects, Liam Murray, 22, of Windmill Court, Dungannon, was refused bail on Thursday.One of the suspects, Liam Murray, 22, of Windmill Court, Dungannon, was refused bail on Thursday.
Five men are alleged to have got out of a taxi and attacked the family last September as they walked home from a daughter's 18th birthday party.Five men are alleged to have got out of a taxi and attacked the family last September as they walked home from a daughter's 18th birthday party.
At one stage, according to the prosecution, some of the group in the taxi seized control of the cab and drove it at two women giving first aid to the dying victim, inflicting serious injuries.At one stage, according to the prosecution, some of the group in the taxi seized control of the cab and drove it at two women giving first aid to the dying victim, inflicting serious injuries.
Mr Murray, who faces charges of murder and hijacking a Toyota car, was refused bail amid concerns about possible witness interference.Mr Murray, who faces charges of murder and hijacking a Toyota car, was refused bail amid concerns about possible witness interference.
Opposing the accused's application for release, Crown counsel Conor Maguire alleged he was part of a joint enterprise.Opposing the accused's application for release, Crown counsel Conor Maguire alleged he was part of a joint enterprise.
'Sneered''Sneered'
The court heard the murder followed an earlier row at the Irish National Foresters Club where the Hughes family were holding celebrations in a private room.The court heard the murder followed an earlier row at the Irish National Foresters Club where the Hughes family were holding celebrations in a private room.
It was claimed that a son of the victim was verbally abused and sneered at by others in the public bar, leading to a fight between rival groups outside the premises.It was claimed that a son of the victim was verbally abused and sneered at by others in the public bar, leading to a fight between rival groups outside the premises.
Mr Maguire said the fatal attack was then launched as the family returned home along the Lisnahull Road.Mr Maguire said the fatal attack was then launched as the family returned home along the Lisnahull Road.
Up to 20 people were involved in the incident, with witnesses claiming belts were used in an attempt to rebuff those who emerged from the car.Up to 20 people were involved in the incident, with witnesses claiming belts were used in an attempt to rebuff those who emerged from the car.
"Eamonn Hughes, the deceased, was stabbed by one of the persons who came from the taxi," Mr Maguire claimed."Eamonn Hughes, the deceased, was stabbed by one of the persons who came from the taxi," Mr Maguire claimed.
Mr Murray has spent seven months in custody and the prosecution said that the investigation was continuing.Mr Murray has spent seven months in custody and the prosecution said that the investigation was continuing.
The court heard house to house inquiries have been carried out at 300 addresses, however forensic tests have still to be completed.The court heard house to house inquiries have been carried out at 300 addresses, however forensic tests have still to be completed.
'Assaults''Assaults'
"Police have had substantial difficulty in getting statements from individuals they believe were witnesses at the scene because of the ongoing intimidation of people in the area," Mr Maguire said."Police have had substantial difficulty in getting statements from individuals they believe were witnesses at the scene because of the ongoing intimidation of people in the area," Mr Maguire said.
"There have been assaults on witnesses, albeit this applicant has been in custody at the time those assaults were carried out."There have been assaults on witnesses, albeit this applicant has been in custody at the time those assaults were carried out.
"Witnesses have been reluctant to come forward because of pressure that has been put on them in the local area.""Witnesses have been reluctant to come forward because of pressure that has been put on them in the local area."
A defence barrister argued that Mr Murray was an innocent party who had not requested the taxi to stop near the Hughes group.A defence barrister argued that Mr Murray was an innocent party who had not requested the taxi to stop near the Hughes group.
It was also claimed that the accused had not taken part in the fatal attack or hijacking, and that there was nothing to suggest he was the one with the murder weapon.It was also claimed that the accused had not taken part in the fatal attack or hijacking, and that there was nothing to suggest he was the one with the murder weapon.