Funeral of murder victim this week
COUPLE ARE REMANDED IN CUSTODY ACCUSED OF THE MURDER OF PATRICK WARD WHO WAS FOUND STABBED IN TYRONE ALLEYWAY
The funeral is set to takeplace in Sligo later this week of 30 year old married father of four, Patrick Ward who was murdered in what has been described as a brutal, frenzied stabbing attack.
At the time of going to press funeral arrangements were being finalised with removal set for St Anne’s Church on Thursday with Funeral Mass on Friday with burial afterwards in Ballymote.
Mr Ward’s body was discovered in an alleyway at McCrea Park, Clogher, County Tyrone on the morning of February 9 th last.
Last Wednesday morning, Sligoman, Niall Cox (23) and his partner Karen Marie McDonald (33), both of McCrea Park appeared at Dungannon Magistrates Court charged with Mr Ward’s murder.
Mr Ward’s brother, Tom junior, was murdered outside the family home in Cranmore,0 Sligo in 2007.
There was a very heavy police presence at the court and the presiding Judge had to clear the courtroom after an outburst from family and friends of Mr Ward as the accused were returned to the cells after being charged.
The family of Mr Ward had arrived at court early, visibility distressed and some looking exhausted.
One of his young son’s clutched a framed photograph of his father to his chest.
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, Bridget wept uncontrollably. Both women were comforted by family members. No details of the incident were disclosed and there was no application for bail.
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.”
The accused were remanded tin 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, Ellen, who carried a framed photograph of her husband during the hearing, said: “This is a pain that will never go away.”
Meanwhile, A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of withholding information. Police questioned the suspect under the Communications Act after CCTV footage and images of the deceased were shared online.