Murder bid accused face delay over trial decision

THREE Newtownabbey men accused of trying to kill a former leading loyalist will have to wait until next year to discover if they are to stand trial.

Aaron Cahoon (27), David Rush (34) and David Gibson (44), were allegedly part of a 10-strong gang which battered Darren Moore with weapons at a pub in Doagh, Co Antrim.

The trio are jointly charged with attempted murder in connection with the attack in McConnell’s Bar in March this year.

Cahoon, of Fairhill Gardens; Rush, from Ballyvesey Green, and Gibson, of Milewater Drive, appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court yesterday for an update on the case. They all deny involvement in the attack.

A prosecution lawyer said seized phones have been sent to an external agency for forensic examination. “The date put forward for (completion of ) this is the end of 2017,” she added.

A defence lawyer expressed alarm at the potential delay in reaching a preliminary inquiry hearing to establish if the accused have a case to answer.

“It’s not even close to that,” he said.

District Judge Fiona Bagnall agreed committal proceedings will not be held until next year.

Listing the case for a further review in January, she released all three on continuing bail.

Moore, in his 40s and formerly from the Mount Vernon area of Belfast, was beaten with baseball bats, hammers and pickaxe handles.

He suffered multiple head fractures, cuts to his face and a puncture wound to his stomach, the court heard.