Tyrone man to face withholding information charge related to savage murder of Sligo man
A COUNTY Tyrone man has been returned for trial on a charge of withholding information in respect of the savage murder of Sligo native Pat Ward almost five years ago.
The victim, Mr Ward, a thirty-year-old married father of four children, suffered severe head trauma and stab wounds, before being dragged from the scene and abandoned half-naked in an alleyway. Appearing for a committal hearing was William Hamilton (49) from McCaughey Terrace, Fintona, but previously of McCrea Park in Clogher – scene of the murder.
He is charged with knowing or believing that an offence, namely murder, had been committed on February 9, 2019, and having information likely to secure or be of material assistance in securing the apprehension, prosecution, or conviction of some person for that offence, failed to give it to police.
Apart from the charge being read no other details surrounding the circumstances of Hamilton’s alleged offending were disclosed during the short hearing.
A prosecuting lawyer told Dungannon Magistrates Court there is a case to answer which was agreed by Deputy District Judge Liam McStay.
Hamilton spoke only to confirm his identity and that he understood the charge against him. He declined to call witnesses or give evidence on his own behalf at this stage in proceedings.
Judge McStay remanded him on £500 bail to appear for arraignment at
Dungannon Crown Court on 23 January.
Applying for Legal Aid to be extended to cover barrister fees for the committing hearing, the defence said: “There were various issues some of which have been taken away by extensive publicity.”
The application granted.
Niall Cox (28) and Karen Marie McDonald (38) both of McCrea Park in Clogher are serving prison sentences for the murder and manslaughter respectively of Mr Ward, which were handed down in September. was