Four in Belfast court accused of murder

Three men and a youth accused of beating a man to death appeared in court today.

The four, all from north Belfast, have been charged with murdering 28-year-old Thomas Venus.

The victim, a father-of-two from the Ballysillan area, was found dead at York Street in the city early on Sunday.

Later that day the accused, John Fulton (aged 19), of Glenrosa Link; Gary McCartney (aged 26), from Parkmount Street; John Annesley (aged 20), of Greenmount Place; and a 17-year-old were arrested after going voluntarily to police.

The detective heading the murder inquiry, Chief Inspector Tim Hanley, told Belfast Magistrates’ Court how he believed he could connect all four with the offence.

Magistrate Desmond Perry remanded the accused in custody until May 25.