Tyrone man charged with Donegal murder

A Co Tyrone man appeared before Dublin’s Special Criminal Court today charged with murdering a man in Donegal two years ago.

Martin Kelly (aged 36) of Barrack Street, Strabane, Co Tyrone was charged with the murder of Andrew Burns (aged 27) at Doneyloop, Castlefin in Co Donegal on February 12, 2008.

Mr Burns was found with gunshot wounds outside a church, by teenagers attending a nearby youth club.

Mr Kelly was charged before the three-judge non-jury court in March of this year with the unlawful possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, in connection with the same incident.

The Tyrone man appeared before the Special Criminal Court today, dressed in a white shirt and dark grey trousers.

Detective Garda Adrian Ahern, Letterkenny, gave the court, details of arrest, charge and caution. The court heard that when the charge of murder was put to the accused, Mr Kelly replied “no comment”.

The chief investigating officer in the case, Superintendent Kevin English also gave evidence during the brief hearing.

He said the inquiry into Mr Burns’ murder was “complex” with “territorial” issues.

Superintendent English said the investigation had a strong “cross-border dimension” and involved the “extensive analysis” of phone records and over 600 vehicle checks and 300 witness statements.

The court of Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding, sitting with Ms Justice Alison Lindsay and Judge Cormac Dunne remanded Mr Kelly in custody to appear before the court again on July 20 next.