McCartney trial set to begin next week

The postponed trial of the man accused of murdering Robert McCartney has been reset for next week, the Courts Service announced…

The postponed trial of the man accused of murdering Robert McCartney has been reset for next week, the Courts Service announced tonight.

Terence Malachy Davison (51) will face the charge of killing Mr McCartney (33), a father-of-two, outside a Belfast bar more than three years ago when he appears at the Belfast Crown Court on Monday.

The revised start date has been set following two aborted attempts to start proceedings this week.

On Monday the hearing was adjourned for 24 hours because a defence barrister was delayed at another case. Yesterday, judge Lord Justice Higgins said the trial had to be postponed again due to legal reasons.

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Along with two other men - James McCormick (39) and Joseph Gerard Emmanuel Fitzpatrick (47) - Davison is charged with affray in relation to the same incident in January 2005. Mr Fitzpatrick is also charged with assaulting another man.

The charges relate to violent clashes outside Magennis’s Bar where Mr McCartney was murdered and his friend, Brendan Devine, badly injured after an argument.

The killing of Mr McCartney created headlines around the world, with the IRA accused of involvement at what was a crucial time in the Northern Ireland peace process.

Sinn Féin denied any IRA members had taken part in the murder.

PA