Psychiatrist to assess Derry dentist accused of double murder

A dentist accused of murdering his wife and his ex-lover’s husband is to be assessed by a psychiatrist in a fortnight’s time to decide if he is fit to face new questioning by investigating police, a court heard today.

Doctor Colin Howell (aged 50) was due in the dock at North Antrim Magistrates’ Court in Coleraine, Co Derry, but his appearance was cancelled last week after he was admitted to the prison hospital at Maghaberry, near Lisburn, Co Antrim, where he is suffering severe stress and depression and is under close medical supervision.