Murder accused make secret trips

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Two men accused of murdering a father-of-six during a feud have made secret trips back to Belfast.

A judge ordered a reporting ban on the visits for fear they would lead to violence.

Paul Burns, 25, and Christopher Notorantonio, 55, returned separately last week from Liverpool.

They have been living there since their release on bail over the murder of Gerard Devlin in west Belfast. They have now left Northern Ireland.

Mr Devlin was stabbed to death as he picked up his children in Whitecliff Parade in February 2006.

The two accused appeared at Belfast Crown Court on Friday, however the judge banned reporting of the case until Sunday.

Mr Justice Deeny granted Mr Burns and Mr Notorantonio permission to make three day trips back to Belfast to consult with lawyers and see relatives.

They were ordered to stay at addresses outside west Belfast, and Mr Burns was told his young daughter must be brought to him.

The court heard that one of the murder detectives resisted attempts to allow Mr Burns back into west Belfast for just two hours to see his sick grandmother because the risk of trouble was too great.

"We believe that the presence of this man in west Belfast would have the potential for public disorder," he said.

Mr Burns, of Dermott Hill Park and Mr Notorantonio, from Whitecliff Parade, are among four men expected to stand trial for murdering 39-year-old Mr Devlin.