Two accused of killing Donegal teenager refused bail

Two men accused of beating a teenager to death were refused bail today amid claims they may interfere with witnesses.

The decision to remand the two men, aged 19 and 20 in custody was also fuelled by fears they could go on the run and to protect them from rising community tensions in Derry following the murder of Liam Devlin.

Mr Devlin, a 19-year-old from just across the Irish border in Burnfoot, County Donegal, suffered fatal head injuries in a fight at Limsfort in the city’s Creggan district early on Saturday morning.

Handcuffed and dressed in T-shirts, the two accused stood in the dock at Derry’s Magistrate’s court as a detective said he could connect him with the killing.

Inspector Ian Magee told the hearing he was strongly opposed to bail being granted.

The officer said: “I would be afraid there would be interference with witnesses who have come forward.”

Mr Magee also raised concerns that the defendants may abscond.

He also confirmed that eye-witness evidence was part of the prosecution case and that those involved were known to the accused.

McEleney’s solicitor Paddy McGurk told the court his client consistently denied the murder charge during interview, and had expressed deep remorse over what had happened.

After the detective told the hearing that McEleney, of Circular Road, Creggan, had accepted he was present on the night Mr McGurk revealed that his client had gone out after taking part in a local football tournament.

A lawyer for Cruickshank, of Lislane Drive, Creggan, also stressed to the court that he had denied his involvement, but after the detective raised the same objections Magistrate Barney McElholm remanded both in custody until August 30.

He said: “In a case as serious as this there’s always a fear of absconding.

“There’s also fear for the safety of the defendants themselves. Emotions are still going to be running high at this stage and that’s something I have to take into account.”