Man in court over teenager's murder

A 24-year-old man appeared in court today charged in connection with the murder of teenager Megan McAlorum.

Charles Joseph Dundon, unemployed and of no fixed abode, was charged with withholding information about the murder of the 16-year-old Belfast girl.

He was remanded in custody at Lisburn Magistrates’ Court, Co Antrim, until April 27 after police successfully objected to bail.

Megan’s half-naked body was discovered in a forested area outside West Belfast and about a mile from her home on the Lenadoon estate on Easter Monday.

She disappeared after leaving her local pub at around midnight on Easter Sunday.

On Saturday, a 16-year-old youth appeared in court charged with her murder.

At today’s hearing the magistrate refused bail at the request of police.

He said: “The grounds for objecting to bail are numerous.”

They included police concerns for the accused’s safety, having no suitable address and the seriousness of the offence.

A detective sergeant told the court that when charged last night, Mr Dundon made no reply.

His solicitor told the court his client insisted he had no involvement with the murder.