Psychiatric reports have been ordered into a Derry man charged with a number of terrorist offences, including assisting in the IRA killing of a young police officer in the city almost 20 years ago, to ascertain if the case can proceed against him.

Shot dead: Constable Michael Ferguson.

Defence lawyer for 40-year-old Christopher O’Kane, from Kular Court in the city, told Derry Magistrates Court this morning there were “real concerns” for the accused’s mental state as he had been detained in the secure psychiatric unit at  Gransha Hospital on several occasions during the past four months.

Among the charges O’Kane faces is one of assisting those involved in the shooting dead of 21-year-old Constable Michael Ferguson.

Constable Ferguson, a Catholic from Omagh, was shot dead in Shipquay Street in January 1993

O’Kane is also accused of attempting to murder a soldier and two military police officers in separate attacks at army bases in Fort George and Ebrington.

The accused was due to be put forward to a preliminary enquiry this morning. However, following the application by the defence solicitor, Resident Magistrate adjourned the case  to allow for the psychiatric assessment.

A 40-year-old man who bit a police man trying to arrest him has been ordered to pay the officer £250 compensation.

Frankie Charles O’Donnell admitted charges of disorderly behaviour, assaulting two police officers, criminal damage and resisting police when he appeared at Derry Magistrates Court this morning.

A solicitor for the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) told the court police were called to Shipquay Street on August 15 after it was reported the accused was being disorderly and lashing out with crutches he was using.

The court was told O’Donnell “broke the skin” of one of the officers who he bit during the incident.

Defence solicitor, Paddy McDermott, told the court the accused had been on crutches throughout his life due to a medical condition and on the night in question had consumed a high intake of alcohol.

Ordering the accused to pay the injured officer £250 in compensation, Resident Magistrate, Barney McEholm, imposed a two year conditional discharge.

Kieran McLaughlin has been charged with the murder of Barry McCrory who was shot dead in the city last week.

Charged: Kieran McLaughlin.

Mr McCrory wss killed by a lone gunman in a flat in Shipquay Street on Thursday morning last.

Police investigating the killing arrested McLaughlin, from Elaghmore Park, Galliagh in the early hours of Wednesday morning last.

Detectives were granted a 36-hour extension to question the 58-year-old at Derry Magistrates Court yesterday morning.

He is due to appear back the same court again tomorrow morning charged with murder and possession of firearms.

A police spokesperson said: “A 58 year old man has been charged with murder and firearm offences and is due to appear at Derry Magistrates Court on the morning of Saturday 19 October.”

Kieran McLaughlin is due to appear at Derry Magistrates Court this morning charged with the murder of Barry McCrory who was shot dead in the city last week.

Charged: Kieran McLaughlin.

Mr McCrory (35) wss killed by a lone gunman in a flat in Shipquay Street on Thursday morning last.

Police investigating the killing arrested McLaughlin, from Elaghmore Park, Galliagh in the early hours of Wednesday morning last.

Detectives were granted a 36-hour extension to question the 58-year-old at Derry Magistrates Court on Thursday morning.

McLaughlin had been brought to court from the PSNI Serious Crime Suite in Antrim. There was a heavy police presence both inside and outside the court during the brief appearance.

A heavy police presence is expected at the Bishop Street courthouse this morning where McLaughlin will appear charged with murder and possession of firearms.

The prosecution of British soldiers involved in the Bloody Sunday killings could be “disastrous” for how the legacy of the Troubles is addressed, DUP MP Gregory Campbell has warned.

The East Derry MP was speaking after a report that up to 20 retired British soldiers face being arrested and questioned by police for murder as a result of the Bloody Sunday shootings on 30 January, 1972. Thirteen men died on the day while a 14th died later from his injuries.

The report in yesterday’s Sunday Times said some of the soldiers, now in their 60s and 70s, may face prosecution and criminal trials. It said the British Ministry of Defence had started hiring lawyers who will represent the former soldiers.

In an official statement, a PSNI spokesman said: “Preliminary work has begun into what will be a lengthy and complex investigation into the events of 30th January, 1972.

“For the investigation to be as comprehensive and effective as possible, police will be asking for public support in the form of witnesses who gave evidence to the Saville Inquiry now making statements to detectives. This is because police are precluded from using Saville testimony in a criminal investigation.”

However, any suggestion of imminent arrests or questioning of former soldiers is wide of the mark, senior PSNI sources added. They said while ex-soldiers could be questioned about Bloody Sunday that it could take up to 12 months and possibly longer before that would happen such is the detail and complexity of the investigation.

In July last year the special PSNI investigation into Bloody Sunday was announced with a team of 15 detectives later established to carry out the inquiry. It was stated at the time that the investigation could take at least four years..

Mr Campbell said if the newspaper reports proved to be accurate that Bloody Sunday soldiers were to be prosecuted, it could prove “disastrous in how our society deals with the past.”

He added: “For many years those at the helm in the IRA have either denied being in the organisation, like Gerry Adams, or will not talk about any events that happened when they were, like Martin McGuinness. This has resulted in no action by police or Prosecution Service against them.”

He concluded: “If it transpires that troops, who were in the Bogside because of the actions of the IRA who had murdered more than 100 people before ‘Bloody Sunday’ and had caused massive destruction and unrest also, this would demonstrate the perversity at the heart of dealing with the past.”

A 27-years-old Derry man was remanded in custody when he appeared at Derry Magistrates Court this morning charged with a number of firearms and explosive offences, including the possession of a sub machine gun and hand grenades.

Ryan O’Reilly (27), of Meadowbank Court,  is charged with having a Baikal pistol and sound suppressor and a quantity of ammunition in suspicious circumstances on 12 December last year.

When the charges were put to him, Court papers show O’Reilly replied: “That there was in my possession a few years ago. However, I have nothing to do with nor did I bring any firearms or explosives into Derry. I strongly deny the importation of drugs.”

O’Reilly is further charged with having self-loading pistol and two magazines of ammunition, a sub-machine gun with magazine, sound suppressor and a quantity of ammunition, two hand grenades, a stun gun, CS gas spray and magazines for a Glock 17 pistol and Beretta 92 self-loading pistol.

O’Reilly, who appeared in court wearing a light blue printed tee-shirt and handcuffed to a prison officer, did not speak during the five minute hearing, nodding twice to confirm is identity and that he understood the charges against him.

A PSNI detective constable told the court he believed he could connect the accused to the charges.

Defence solicitor, Kevin Casey, informed Resident Magistrate Barney McElholm his client was not making an application for bail.

O’Reilly was remanded in custody to appear via video link at the same court on 21 November next.

A 28 year old man is expected to appear at Derry Magistrates Court tomorrow charged with assault, dangerous driving and driving while unfit.

The charges are believed to be related to incident in the Ballyarnett area of Derry last night in which a car crashed into a house in Cornshell Fields.

No one was injured in the collision.

A 28 year old man is due to appear at Derry Magistrates Court this morning charged with assault, dangerous driving and driving while unfit.

The charges are believed to be related to an incident in the Ballyarnett area of Derry on Sunday night last when a car crashed into a house in Cornshell Fields.

No one was injured in the collision.

A 28-year-old Derry man who crashed his car into a house in the Ballyarnett area of the city on Sunday night last was released on strict bail conditions when he appeared at the local Magistrates Court this morning charged in connection with the incident.

Sam McGinley, of Cornshelll Fields, was charged with dangerous driving, driving whilst unfit due to alcohol or drugs, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, failing to report an accident, failing to keep a vehicle at the scene of an accident and assault.

Opposing bail, the PSNI officer in charge of the case, told the court extensive damage was caused to the front of the house at Cornshell Fields.

The officer said McGinley was seen leaving the scene along with a female front passenger in the car and that he returned a short time later offering to pay for the damage.

However, the police witness said the accused became abusive and threatened the witnesses before once again leaving the scene and going to the home of his cousin.

The court heard when police arrived at the house McGinley was in his boxer shorts and the clothes he had been wearing were discovered in a wash basket.

The PSNI officer said the accused failed a subsequent breath test.

The officer told the court McGinley was remorseful during questioning and made a full admission to the incident.

The court was told McGinley had consumed some vodka and when driving into Cornshell Fields noticed a van being driven by a person who he believed was after him. As a result, he lost control of the vehicle, which was his own and was insured, and crashed into the house.

The police officer told the court McGinley had 34 previous offences, mostly for motoring, in Northern Ireland and believed he was involved in serious organised crime and that there was a risk he would leave the jurisdiction.

However, a defence solicitor told the court as the accused had admitted to the offences there was very little chance of him interfering with witnesses and that all previous offences, bar one, were for motoring.

The solicitor told the court there was no evidence before the court the accused was involved in serious organised crime. Stressing McGInley’s previous convictions were driving related, the solicitor told the court the accused was released from prison in 2011 after serving an 18-month sentence in the Republic for motoring offences.

The solicitor said while being questioned by police, the accused had expressed his remorse and had asked that his apologies and regret be passed on to the injured parties.

Conceding “flight risk” was always present being so close to the border, Resident Magistrate Barney McElholm released McGinley on his own bail of £1,000 and a £1,000 surety.

He ordered McGinley to live at an address given to the court between 8.00pm and 7.00am and that he was to be electronically monitored. The accused was also told not to consume alcohol or non-prescription drugs and to report daily to Strand Road police station.

The accused was also ordered not to travel in any private motor vehicle and was not to drive any form of motor vehicle.

He was also ordered not enter within a 500 metre radius any part of Cornshell Fields, not to contact or attempt to contact, directly or indirectly, any of the injured parties or witnesses in the case.

McGinley is due to appear back at Derry Magistrates Court again on 14 November next.

A 38-year-old Co. Derry man, with 225 previous offences, was refused bail when he appeared at Derry Magistrates Court today on a number of offences, including motoring and assault charges.

Patrick Morgan, of Church Hill, Ballykelly was charged with driving whilst disqualified, under the influence of alcohol, taking a vehicle without the consent of the owner, driving without insurance, criminal damage and four counts of assault. The offences are alleged to have occurred in Ballykelly on Saturday last.

The police officer in charge of the case told the court he believed to could connect the accused to the charges.

Opposing bail, the officer said police were “extremely concerned” that witnesses would be interfered with.

Refusing bail, Resident Magistrate Barney McElholm pointed out the accused had 225 previous convictions and was a “danger” to road users.

Morgan was remanded in custody to appear at Derry Magistrates Court via video link on 14 November next.

A young woman who was kicked and punched by her ex-boyfriend was “unable to move for two weeks,” Derry Magistrates Court has heard.

Graham Leper, of Stevenson Park, failed to appear for his trial at Derry Magistrates Court this morning to contest four assault charges against him.

After being informed the accused had been in the court building but had left, Resident Magistrate Barney McElholm ordered the case to go ahead in his absence.

Giving evidence, Leper’s ex-girlfriend told the court a five or six year relationship between pair ended in December last year.

She said while attending a wedding in the Waterfoot Hotel on 7 June this year, she received a text message from the accused to go to his home. She said when she arrived, she “stumbled” into the accused’s bedroom and in doing so knocked over a “smoking bong.”

As a result, she told the court Leper started screaming at her before punching her on the nose. She said she ran from the room with her face covered in blood.

She further told the court she was at Brigade Cricket Club on 14 July and the accused kept walking up and down passed her. She said she left to go out for a meal with her mother after which she received a text message from the accused looking for her to give him a lift.

She told the court she agreed to give Leper the lift but when they got to his house he refused to get out of the car. She said she ran into the house and that the accused followed her and grabbed her “by the scruff of the neck” before forcing her to the ground and jumping on top of her.

The witness said after Leper was pulled off her by his father she ran from the house but that she fell and when the accused came out he kicked in the ribs.

She told the court as a result of the attack, she was unable to move for two weeks, sustained a black ear, bumps to her head, bruising to her legs and a bruised rib cage.

Resident Magistrate Barney McElholm convicted Leper in his absence. Issuing an arrest warrant, Mr McElholm said he needed to have the accused before him before he could pass sentence.

Claims that attempts were made to recruit a republican prisoner as an informer shortly  before his death in Derry police headquarters, could see his inquest delayed for a year.

John Brady

The inquest into the death of Strabane republican John Brady in Strand Road police station in October 2009 is due to begin in Belfast on Monday next, 4 November and is expected to last several days.

The 40-year-old was in custody being questioned about an alleged assault when, according to police, he took his own life using a pair of shoe laces, though his family have always denied this.

It emerged in 2010 a police officer had been suspended and a number of others were to face disciplinary action over the death.

A report from the Police Ombudsman stated there was no evidence he had been harassed or mistreated but said a number of failings provided him with the opportunity to take his own life.

Mr Brady’s family say many questions surrounding the circumstances of his death have gone and remained unanswered.

However at a pre-inquest hearing, Senior Coroner John Leckey directed claims two police intelligence officers visited Mr Brady in custody hours before he killed himself must be investigated before an inquest could be held.

It is anticipated such an investigation could take up to a year to complete.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment has accepted disqualification undertakings from two directors of a Derry ventilation services business.

Ivan James and Julie Dunlop (both 42), of McCartney Park, Pennyburn, were disqualified for five and four years respectively in respect of their conduct as directors of Dunlop Ventilation Services Ltd.

The firm went into liquidation in December 2010 with estimated total assets available for preferential creditors of £12,665, liabilities to preferential creditors of £4,920, liabilities to unsecured creditors of £324,308, and an estimated deficiency as regards creditors of £316,563.

After taking into account the losses incurred by the shareholders the total estimated deficiency was £316,565.

The Department accepted the disqualification undertakings on 15 August 2013 based on the following unfit conduct which solely for the purposes of the disqualification procedure was not disputed: causing and permitting the company to retain a total of £89,416 of monies due to HM Revenue and Customs consisting of £6,047 in respect of PAYE and £27,394 in respect of NIC for the years 2009/10 and 2010/11; and £55,975 in respect of VAT for the years 2008/09 to 2010/11 thereby funding substantially the company’s period of insolvent trading with the revenues so retained; allowing the company to make a dividend distribution when there were not sufficient distributable reserves to do so.

Additional matters alleged in relation to Ivan James Dunlop were: submitting a materially inaccurate Statement of Affairs; causing and permitting the company to misuse a bank account by tendering 33 cheques with a total value of £61,240 without due regard to their being honoured on presentation in the period 14 October 2008 to 4 November 2010; and by providing insufficient funds to honour 24 standing orders and 19 direct debits with a combined total of £39,677 which were returned in the period 17 November 2008 to 22 October 2010.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (the Department) has accepted a disqualification undertaking from a director of a Derry payroll and accounts company.


Stacey Watson (25) of Stoney Path in the Waterside was disqualified for seven years in respect of her conduct as a director of Interactive Payroll Management Limited (“the Company”).

Proceedings are continuing against another director.

The Company carried on the business of preparing VAT returns, payroll and accounts from Precision Park, Springtown Industrial Estate, Derry and went into liquidation on 23 April 2009 with no estimated assets of, liabilities to non-preferential creditors of £147,663, and an estimated deficiency as regards creditors of £147,663.

After taking into account the losses incurred by members (the shareholders) of the Company the total estimated deficiency was £147,763.

The Department accepted the disqualification undertaking from Stacey Watson on 29 August 2013 based on the following unfit conduct which solely for the purposes of the disqualification procedure was not disputed:

causing and permitting the Company to misapply £24,283 of client monies to the detriment of the client;

causing and permitting the Company to fail to maintain / preserve / or deliver up accounting records to the Official Receiver;

causing and permitting the Company to fail to pay a total of £24,079 due to the Crown consisting of £10,757 in respect of PAYE and £11,117 in respect of NIC for the years 2007/08 and 2008/09; and £2,205 in respect of VAT for the year 2008/09;

causing and permitting the Company to fail to pay a total of £5,720 due to the Department of Finance and Personnel;

failing to file Annual Accounts for the Company for the year ended 31 October 2007;
causing and permitting the Company to fail to ensure that the Annual Return for the year ended 10 October 2007 was filed within the prescribed time period with Companies House and to fail to file the Annual Return for the year ended 10 October 2008.

The Department has accepted 55 Disqualification Undertakings and the Court has made six orders disqualifying directors in the financial year commencing 1 April 2013.

A business woman who lost everything when her clothes shops went bust turned to a life of crime, stealing the identities of friends to swindle a bank out of tens of thousands of euro.

Lorna Blackburn, who had fashion outlets in Derry and Donegal, swindled €47,452 from Halifax.

She stole the identities of people she knew, applied for loans in their names and then pocketed the cash, Letterkenny Circuit Court heard.

Blackburn, aged 37 and from Beltany, Raphoe, admitted what Judge John O’Hagan called “a large number of offences.”

Det Garda Paul Lynch told the judge that €31,452 was still outstanding to Halifax, a debt transferred to a loan-chasing company in England since the bank pulled out of Ireland.

He said €16,000 was paid off.

“She cooperated with the Gardai. She has not come under adverse Garda notice since,” said the detective.

He said Blackburn had owned clothes shops in Derry and Donegal but had lost everything during the economic collapse.

She was now living with her mother and her daughter in rented accommodation.

Defence barrister Desmond Murphy, SC, said Blackburn had nothing and had admitted 27 fraud offences.

“She has managed to scrape together 260 euro for charity as a donation,” he said.

“Her daughter is a One Direction fan and has been wanting to go to see them but there is no prospect of that – she has nothing left to give and there is no prospect of any money in the future.”

Judge O’Hagan said Blackburn had become involved in “a series of dishonest dealings, stole IDs and used those to raise money to rescue a dying business. It didn’t work.

“Some efforts have been made to pay some of the money back. She has pleaded guilty to an absolutely huge number of offences. She has nothing.

“While these crimes may cry out for a custodial sentence I have decided to impose three year prison sentences on each count, but substitute that with 220 hour community service.”

The judge ordered that the €260 be returned to Blackburn to spend on her young daughter.

A call to reopen the investigation into the Birmingham pub bombings – for which a Derry man was wrongly convicted – is being considered by the British Prime Minister.

Relatives of some of the 21 people killed in the blasts have compiled a dossier of their case, which is being read by David Cameron.

The bombings, in which almost 200 people were injured,  took place at two pubs – The Mulberry Bush and the Tavern in the Town – on 21 November 1974.

Six men from Northern Ireland, who became known as the “Birmingham Six,” were tried and convicted of the killings and jailed for life in 1975.

Among them was Derry man John Walkers. The others were Paddy Hill, Gerry Hunter, Hugh Callaghan, Richard McIlkenny and Billy Power.

They were all released on 14 March 1991 after their convictions were declared unsafe and unsatisfactory and quashed by the Court of Appeal at the Old Bailey.

Several thousand people turned out to welcome Mr Walker when he returned home to Derry.

The six men were later awarded compensation ranging from £840,000 to £1.2 million.

The real bombers have never been prosecuted.

Now, nearly 40 years after the attack, the family of one of the victims, Maxine Hambleton, are campaigning for the case to be reopened.

Evidence is also being reviewed by the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit. A previous police investigation closed in 1994.

Belfast woman Marian McGlinchey has pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting terrorism when she appeared at an Easter commemoration rally in Derry.

Marian McGlinchey holds the address for a masked Real IRA man in Derry City Cemetery in 2011.

The 59-year-old admitted the offence at Belfast Crown Court.

The charge followed her appearance at the rally held in Derry City Cemetery in April 2011 at which she was pictured holding a piece of paper for a masked man who issued threats against police officers during his address.

McGlinchey, from Stockman’s Avenue in West Belfast, also pleaded guilty to supplying a mobile phone linked to a Real IRA attack on Massereene Barracks in Antrim in which two British soldiers, Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar, were shot dead in 2009.

She was released on continuing bail and will be sentenced next month.

A gas fitter is stand trial charged with causing the deaths of two teenagers by carbon monoxide poisoning in a Derry seaside resort over three years ago.

George Brown (52), from Ballygawley Road, Aghadowey, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter at Coleraine Crown Court, sitting at Laganside Courthouse in Belfast.

Neil McFerran and Aaron Davidson, both 18 and from Newtownabbey in Co Antrim, died after they were overcome by the poisonous gas at a holiday apartment in Castlerock on 3 August 2010.

Brown denied an additional 19 charges including failing to ensure those fitting gas appliances were qualified and incorrectly fitting and failing to test that appliances were correctly connected.

Brown was released on continuing bail to appear in court again in February next.

THE PSNI has relaunched its ‘One Punch Can Kill’ campaign in the run up to Christmas.

It has produced a short film in partnership with the Northern Ireland Policing Board and the Youth Justice Agency entitled ‘One Punch Can Kill’.

The film targets young males aged between 15 – 25 and highlights the risks of getting involved in an argument or fight which could ultimately lead to serious injury or death.

It will also be used as part of an educational package that will be rolled out across all policing districts in Northern Ireland.

Say the PSNI: “Our figures show that since 2004, 21 people have died as a result of One Punch attacks and many more have been seriously injured.

“With the launch of our new film we are encouraging young males to be mindful of their safety when they are out at night. Our message is to enjoy your night out, but please remember that One Punch Can Kill.

A Maghera man jailed for life for the murder of an RUC reservist more than 32 years ago could be released from prison in two years time.

Jailed: Seamus Kearney.

Constable John Proctor was shot dead by the IRA in the car park of Magherafelt Hospital in September 1981 after visiting his newborn son.

Seamus Martin Kearney (57), of Gorteade Road, Maghera, was jailed for life for the killing but under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement could be released from prison in two years time.

He had denied murder and possessing an Armalite AR15 rifle.

The trial hearing had been told a DNA sample found on a cigarette butt recovered from the scene of the killing at the time linked Kearney to the shooting.

The trial took place after the murder was reviewed by the Historical Enquiries Team which established current techniques could extract a DNA profile from the cigarette end.

Convicting Kearney, the judge said he was “satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt”  the presence of DNA had come from the saliva of the defendant when he was smoking the cigarette.

Speaking after the sentencing the dead policeman’s son, Johnnie, who he had visited before he was shot, said it was “so sad” he never got to meet the man that brought him into the world.

He added:: “I’m happy the family can now have some closure, some justice, and can finally move on with our lives.”

In a statement read out on behalf of the family, the policeman’s niece, Lorna Torrence, said: “The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the HET and Serious Crime Team Branch and all who were involved for giving us a chance to seek justice where a great injustice was posed to our family.

“The life of John Proctor – although cut short by unjustly acts of a cowardly nature – will be remembered for his kindness, warmth and love for his family and his service in the RUC to maintain peace ,law and order to which he lost his life.

“After all these years of heartache and pain, he will never be forgotten.”