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Armed police in mob murder court | Armed police in mob murder court |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Nine men have been charged in connection with the murder of Kevin McDaid and attempted murder of Damien Fleming in Coleraine at the weekend. | Nine men have been charged in connection with the murder of Kevin McDaid and attempted murder of Damien Fleming in Coleraine at the weekend. |
Six were charged with murder and attempted murder, two with attempted murder and one with affray. | Six were charged with murder and attempted murder, two with attempted murder and one with affray. |
The men were remanded in custody at Ballymena Magistrates Court on Thursday. They all deny the charges. | The men were remanded in custody at Ballymena Magistrates Court on Thursday. They all deny the charges. |
At the hearing 17 armed police in riot gear ringed over 70 loyalists who filled the public benches. | At the hearing 17 armed police in riot gear ringed over 70 loyalists who filled the public benches. |
On the other side of the court, more police provided a human shield around friends and family members of Mr McDaid, including one of his four sons. | On the other side of the court, more police provided a human shield around friends and family members of Mr McDaid, including one of his four sons. |
The 30-minute hearing passed without incident after District Judge Philip Mateer warned anyone shouting in court would be removed and dealt with. | The 30-minute hearing passed without incident after District Judge Philip Mateer warned anyone shouting in court would be removed and dealt with. |
Mr McDaid died after being beaten by a loyalist mob close to his home in the Somerset Drive area of Coleraine. | Mr McDaid died after being beaten by a loyalist mob close to his home in the Somerset Drive area of Coleraine. |
Mr Fleming remains in a critical condition in hospital. | Mr Fleming remains in a critical condition in hospital. |
Talks | |
Meanwhile, the first and deputy first ministers, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness, have held talks at Stormont about the killing with the chief constable. | |
Afterwards, standing on the same spot where, two months ago, he branded dissident republicans traitors to Ireland after their murder of two soldiers and a policeman, Mr McGuinness said he was outraged by Mr McDaid's murder. | |
"I think that it is incredibly important at this time that all of us are seen to be standing together against what is effectively hate crime," he said. | |
The deputy first minister added that politicians faced a mammoth task in tackling "the monster of sectarianism". | |
Mr Robinson said an initiative was being planned for the area where Sunday's attack took place. | |
"It is vital that we not only give a lead, but we bring forward policies which encourage that cohesion within our community," Mr Robinson said. | |
ACCUSED AND CHARGES David Craig Cochrane, 18, of Windyhall Park, was charged with murder and attempted murder. His father David James John Cochrane, 47, faces a charge of affray. | ACCUSED AND CHARGES David Craig Cochrane, 18, of Windyhall Park, was charged with murder and attempted murder. His father David James John Cochrane, 47, faces a charge of affray. |
Ivan Beattie McDowell, 42, of Lisnablagh Road was charged with attempted murder. | Ivan Beattie McDowell, 42, of Lisnablagh Road was charged with attempted murder. |
John Thompson, 29, of Daneshill Road was charged with murder, attempted murder and assault. | John Thompson, 29, of Daneshill Road was charged with murder, attempted murder and assault. |
Frank Simpson Daly, 48, of Rosemary Place was charged with murder, attempted murder and assaulting Evelyn McDaid and Leona Whittaker. | Frank Simpson Daly, 48, of Rosemary Place was charged with murder, attempted murder and assaulting Evelyn McDaid and Leona Whittaker. |
Christopher McDowell, 33, of Glebe Avenue was charged with murder and attempted murder. | Christopher McDowell, 33, of Glebe Avenue was charged with murder and attempted murder. |
Aaron Thomas Beech, 23, of Windyhall Park was charged with attempted murder and assault | Aaron Thomas Beech, 23, of Windyhall Park was charged with attempted murder and assault |
Paul Andrew Newman, 40, of Grassmere Close was charged with murder and attempted murder. | Paul Andrew Newman, 40, of Grassmere Close was charged with murder and attempted murder. |
John McGrath, 50, of Hawthorne Place was charged with murder, attempted murder and assaulting Evelyn McDaid. | John McGrath, 50, of Hawthorne Place was charged with murder, attempted murder and assaulting Evelyn McDaid. |
Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde said the investigation would receive all the resources it required and predicted that further arrests would be made in the case. | |
Attacks | |
Sunday's attacks happened after Rangers won the Scottish league title at the weekend. | |
Support for the two Glasgow football teams known as the Old Firm has traditionally divided along religious lines in Northern Ireland. | |
Most Rangers supporters are Protestants while Celtic fans are predominantly Catholic, and the rivalry between the teams has often been mirrored in sectarian clashes following big games. | Most Rangers supporters are Protestants while Celtic fans are predominantly Catholic, and the rivalry between the teams has often been mirrored in sectarian clashes following big games. |
Route | Route |
Meanwhile, a loyalist parade due to take place in Coleraine on Friday evening has been shortened by the organisers so it does not pass the area where Mr McDaid was killed. | |
The Pride of the Bann flute band voluntarily shortened its planned route so it does not cross the Bann Bridge. | The Pride of the Bann flute band voluntarily shortened its planned route so it does not cross the Bann Bridge. |
Parish priest Father Charles Keeney said the band had made the right decision. | Parish priest Father Charles Keeney said the band had made the right decision. |