Husband charged with Donegal murder

The husband of mother-of-four Delores McCrea was tonight charged with her murder in Co Donegal.

Gary McCrea, 39, of Ballybulgan, Lahey, Donegal, appeared before a special court sitting in the county after skeletal remains found last week were positively identified as those of his wife.

Mrs McCrea, 36, from Ballintra, Co Donegal, who was estranged from her husband, disappeared last Tuesday.

The mother of four girls, aged between four and 18, had been due to attend a darts match on the evening of her disappearance, but never arrived.

She was last seen getting into a silver/grey Volkswagen Golf at Bridgetown, Laghey, that evening.

A major search began when she failed to turn up for work on Wednesday.

The following day the burnt skeletal remains of a woman were found in a shed near Mrs McCrea’s home. A house, shed and a field were sealed off for forensic examination after the discovery.

DNA samples were also taken from members of Mrs McCrea’s family to assist in identification of the badly charred body.

Mr McCrea was remanded in custody to appear in court again next week.