Teenager due in court on Megan murder charge

A teenager was due in court today charged with the murder of Megan McAlorum whose body was found in a forest near Belfast earlier this week.

The 16-year-old boy was appearing before Lisburn magistrates today.

The half-naked body of Megan, who was also 16 and from the west of the city, was found half a mile from the Glenside Road, Dunmurry on Monday.

She had sustained head injuries.

Police were granted a 24-hour extension last night to continue questioning a second male.

A third person, a woman, was also arrested in Ballymena and was questioned about assisting offenders.

A wave of sympathy has engulfed the McAlorum family since Megan’s body was discovered.

Around 1,000 people attended a vigil for her on Thursday night in west Belfast and books of condolence have been opened at her local Catholic church.

Detectives paid tribute to the travelling community and the people of west Belfast for their co-operation in the investigation.

They appealed to the community for continued assistance.

Megan, from Glencolin Way near the Lenadoon Estate on the outskirts of the city, was one of seven children.