Extra police called to court as brothers charged with murder
reinforcements were brought in as two brothers appeared in court charged with the murder of a father of five.
Karol Kelly (35) died at Grafton Street in the Rosemount area of Londonderry in the early hours of Sunday.
Gary Anderson (20) and Sean Anderson (19). both from Grafton Street, are jointly charged with his murder.
Both men spoke only to confirm their names and dates of birth and that they understood the charge against them.
At Londonderry Magistrates Court yesterday, relatives and friends of the victim and relatives and friends of the two defendants faced each other from behind lines of police officers.
Almost 20 officers were in the court room prior to the defendants being produced and the hearing was delayed to allow for the arrival of extra officers.
One man carrying a large photograph of Mr Kelly was removed before the hearing started and two men were arrested for contempt of court after verbally abusing both defendants.
All three men were cheered and applauded by people in the section of the public gallery where the relatives and friends of the murder victim were seated or standing.
Before the remand hearing started District Judge Barney McElholm warned against unPOLICE acceptable behaviour. “A man is dead here. These are court proceedings and they will be conducted in a dignified and respectful manner so I will not be brooking any bad behaviour by any party,” he said. “This is a necessary part of the court process and it will be conducted in a dignified manner.
“Anyone who does not do that risks an immediate prison sentence. Bear in mind the dignity of the deceased. We do not want this turning into a circus.”
A detective inspector said she believed she could connect both defendants to the murder charge.
Questioned by Kevin Casey, the solicitor for both defendants, the detective confirmed that police inquiries had revealed that prior to the murder of Mr Kelly, the deceased had made a number of threats towards the defendants.
“Can you also confirm that police inquiries also reveal that shortly before this incident that led to the brothers being charged, the deceased and another man, not before the court, entered the family home of the two brothers and assaulted them and that both brothers received injuries as the result of this?” Mr Casey said.
The detective replied: “I can confirm that, your worship. Gary Anderson lost part of two of his teeth.”
She also confirmed that the other man with the deceased had been arrested by the police on suspicion of burglary with intent to cause grievous harm.
The detective said that witnesses had told a police officer the deceased had “made a threat to kill anyone who went to the police” as he left the home of the defendants. No bail applications were made and the defendants were remanded in custody.