TWO IN DOCK OVER CLOGHER MURDER
JUDGE CLEARS COURT AMID HEATED SCENES
A JUDGE was required to clear a courtroom after an outburst from family and friends of Pat Ward as two people accused of his murder were returned to the cells after being charged.
Despite a very heavy police presence at Dungannon Magistrates Court prior to and during the hearing, emotions boiled over.
Mr Ward was murdered in what has been described as a brutal, frenzied attack.
His body was discovered in a Clogher alleyway last Saturday morning.
The 30-yearold was a married father of four children all aged under 11 and a member of the Travelling community.
Originally from Sligo, it is understood he only moved to the Clogher area recently.
The family of Mr Ward had arrived at court early, visibility distressed and some looking exhausted.
One of his son’s clutched a framed photograph of his father to his chest.
Appearing in the dock were Niall Cox (23) and his partner Karen Marie McDonald (33), both of McCrea Park, Clogher. Cox is originally from Sligo and, prior to moving to Tyrone, resided in Kesh, Co Fermanagh.
They are jointly charged with murdering Mr Ward on February 9.
More than 50 relatives and friends of the victim were in the public gallery, with some required to stand.
Separating them from the dock was a row of 11 police officers, with others standing in a position to block access to the custody door from where the pair emerged.
On being brought to the dock, some of those in the gallery rose to their feet and started to shout abuse.
District Judge John Meehan warned: “I will have the court cleared if required.
“There will be no breach of the peace in this court or the justice process.”
Mr Ward’s family comforted each other, some of whom sobbed uncontrollably as the charges were read.
His widow moved to the side of the dock, accompanied by a police liaison officer, and through tears, fixed her eyes on the accused throughout the short hearing.
Slightly behind her, Mr Ward’s mother wept uncontrollably. Both women were comforted by family members.
A detective inspector confirmed the charges against both Cox and McDonald could be connected.
No details of the incident were disclosed and there was no application for bail at this stage.
Cox and McDonald spoke only to confirm their identities and that they understood the charges.
Before being removed to the cells a defence lawyer for Cox advised the court: “Once issues such as an address have been sorted it is anticipated bail will be applied for.”
Mr Meehan remanded the pair in custody to appear again by video-link next month.
On being returned to the cells, tensions boiled over as members of the victim’s family applauded and jeered loudly, shouting various comments.
With matters very tense, Judge Meehan ordered the court to be cleared.
Mr Ward’s family and friends left quietly without further incident.
Speaking outside court afterwards, his widow, who carried a framed photograph of her husband during the hearing, said: “This is a pain that will never go away.”