Family come face-to-face with man accused of killing couple
THE family of an elderly couple killed in their home came face to face with the man accused of their murder yesterday.
Relatives of Michael and Marjorie Cawdery watched on as 40-year-old Thomas Scott McEntee stood in the dock at Craigavon Magistrates Court flanked by two psychiatric nurses.
McEntee, currently residing at the Shannon mental health clinic, but who has an address at Moorfield Court in Kilkeel, Co Down, confirmed he was aware of the nine charges against him.
He is accused of the double murder of Mr and Mrs Cawdery, both 83, who were found dead in their Portadown home on Friday, May 26, last year.
Previous courts have heard claims that McEntee was armed with a knife when he allegedly broke into the couple’s Upper Ramona Park home.
He is alleged to have stolen a chequebook and keys from the house before stealing the couple’s car.
As well as two counts of murder, McEntee is also charged with aggravated burglary and aggravated vehicle theft of a Renault Kangoo, which was damaged.
On the same date, McEntee is also accused of two counts of theft, stealing a bottle of red wine, a torch and a compass, and indecent exposure by exposing his person to a female.
And on May 24, he is alleged to have burgled a house on Derrybeg Lane in Newry, where he allegedly stole keys.
Prosecuting lawyer Joseph Murphy submitted there was a Prima Facie case against McEntee,
a submission which defence counsel took no issue with.
Deputy District Judge Austin Kennedy said that, having read the papers, he was satisfied there was a case to answer.
The court clerk told McEntee,
who appeared in the dock wearing a grey hoodie and blue denim jeans, that although not obliged to he had the right to comment on the charges or call evidence to the PE. However, he declined the opportunity.
Remanding McEntee back into custody, Judge Kennedy returned the case to Belfast Crown Court and ordered McEntee to appear in the higher court for his arraignment on a date yet to be fixed.