Judge to set trial date for man charged over prison officer’s killing
A TRIAL date is to be set in two weeks for a man charged in connection with the murder of prison officer David Black.
Damien McLaughlin (41), of Kilmascally Road, Dungannon, was due to stand trial last year but breached his bail and absconded from Northern Ireland.
McLaughlin had previously pleaded not guilty to aiding and abetting the murder of Mr Black on November 1, 2012, two charges of possessing articles for use in terrorism, two counts of preparation for acts of terrorism and belonging to a proscribed organisation, namely the IRA.
At Belfast Crown Court yesterday Mr Justice Colton asked why no trial date had yet been set in the case.
Prosecution counsel Terence Mooney QC said McLaughlin’s extradition from the Republic of Ireland had been approved late last year.
The High Court in Dublin made a ruling on December 2 to have the defendant extradited.
Added Mr Mooney: “Heap McLaughlin peared at Armagh Magistrates Court on Tuesday, December 12, 2017. He was remanded in custody to your Lordship’s court today. He has already been arraigned on the charges.”
The prosecution counsel said he had no objections to a defence application to adjourn proceedings for a fortnight to allow further discussions between McLaughlin and his legal representatives.
Mr Justice Colton said he would list the case for Friday, January 26, when a date for trial would be set.
was on bail at an address in west Belfast when he went on the run. Police called in December 2016 but he could not be found and milk in the fridge was four weeks out of date.
His disappearance while on bail provoked a public outcry from Mr Black’s family, who said they “felt let down and hurt by the justice system’’.
His widow Yvonne, daughter Kyra and son Kyle were later visited by the PSNI officer leading the manhunt for McLaughlin, Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray.
DCS Murray said he had visited the family “to offer sincere apologies for the stress and worry this situation is creating for them” and provided “reassurance of the steps police are taking to locate the whereabouts of Damien McLaughlin”.
The PSNI’s failure to carry out regular bail checks on McLaughlin is currently the subject of a Police Ombudsman probe.
Following a massive manhunt, McLaughlin was eventually arrested by armed Garda on March 2, 2017 at Ramelton in Co Donegal.