Murder-charge youth expressed regret, court told

A schoolboy was filled with deep remorse after being accused of murdering a 30-year-old man in Belfast, a court heard today.

The 14-year-old from the south of the city, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with killing Ian Flanagan at a sports ground at the weekend.

The accused was remanded in youth custody after appearing at Laganside Magistrates’ Court in Belfast.

Wearing a white shirt and black trousers, the teenager stood head bowed as Detective Inspector Jeff Smyth told the court that when charged, he replied: “I regret it.”

Mr Flanagan, a civil servant from South Armagh, who was living in Belfast, was found dead beside hockey pitches at Malone Playing Fields on Sunday.

He had suffered severe head injuries.

The accused’s lawyer, Sean Patterson insisted he had co-operated fully with police by answering every question put to him during seven interviews conducted after his arrest.

Mr Patterson said: “This was a tragic series of events which led to the loss of one life and another being irrevocably altered.”

The barrister added that his client was full of regret for what he “neither intended, desired or anticipated”.

The youth was remanded in custody pending a bail application to appear at the same court via video link on October 8.

A co-accused is due to appear before the same court tomorrow.