Angry scenes as men appear in court

There were angry scenes outside Derry Magistrates Court today as three men were charged with two murders in the city.

Up to 40 people hurled abuse as the three men were led from police vans to the court with blankets over their heads.

Paul Cross, 39, and Bernard Parke, 37, were found dead within hours of each other at houses in the Ardfoyle and Gobnascale areas of the city on Tuesday. Both men had been beaten to death.

Brothers Darren McCallion, 20, from Fergleen Park in the Shantallow area of Derry and David McCallion, 23, from Glenbawn Avenue, Poleglass in Belfast, were charged with the murders of both men.

Dermot Kelly, 23, from McCorkell House in Bridge Street, Derry was charged with the murder of Paul Cross.

All three men deny murder, but Detective Sergeant Alan Holland told the court he believed he could connect the men with the charges.

The court heard Darren McCallion replied “not guilty” to both murders when charged at the city’s Strand Road Police Station.

David McCallion made no reply to both charges, however, Sgt Holland confirmed to the court that during police interviews Mr McCallion had consistently denied the accusation.

When charged with the murder of Mr Cross, Mr Kelly replied: “Definitely not guilty,” Sgt Holland told the court.

A solicitor acting for Mr Kelly said his client had asked him to pass on his sympathies to the family of Mr Parke.

He told the court Mr Kelly had consistently denied the charge during questioning and claimed that far from attacking Mr Cross, his client had attempted to protect him from an assault.

“He will be vehemently denying the charges against him,” he added.

All three defendants were remanded in custody to appear before the same court via video-link on July 10.

The magistrate indicated that the men could apply to the High Court if they wished to be considered for bail before then.

Meanwhile, four other people who were questioned by police about the murders have been released, but reports on three of them have been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.