Four deny New Year murder charge

Four people appeared in court today charged with the New Year’s Day murder of a man who was bludgeoned to death.

A special court sitting in Armagh heard that the two men and two women all denied the charge of murdering Adrian Thompson in Banbridge, County Down.

The 29-year-old father of two was found beaten to death at 5am last Thursday at the rear of a house in the town’s Leamount Park.

Police believe a spade or shovel was used in the killing.

The accused were Rodney Clarke, 34, unemployed, Joanne McMullen, 20, a store worker, Ralph Phillips, 40, unemployed, and Tracey Marshall, 26, unemployed, all of Leamount Park.

A detective sergeant told the court that when he charged the four last night Clarke replied: “Not guilty”, McMullen replied: “no”, Marshall and Phillips each replied: “definitely not guilty”.

He said he believed he could connect all four accused with the charge.

Defence Counsel for Marshall and Phillips asked him: “Can you confirm that both of my clients have strenuously denied any involvement in, or knowledge of, this offence?”

He replied: “That is correct.”

The lawyer said he would be making an application for bail on behalf of his clients later.

The four, who appeared in the dock ringed by 15 police officers, were remanded in custody until January 29 to appear at Banbridge Magistrates’ Court by video link.