McDaid trio have curfews extended

John McGrath (51) of Knock Road, Ballymoney, who is charged with murder, attempted murder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm and Paul Andrew Newman (45) of Grasmere Close, Coleraine, who is charged with murder and attempted murder, have had their curfews extended to 10pm.

Newman was also given special dispensation to travel to Glasgow for a weekend, however District Judge Richard Wilson, warned him that his alcohol ban would still be in place and that he would have to submit to a preliminary breath test.

Ivan Beattie McDowell (43) of Lisnablagh Road, Coleraine, who is charged with attempted murder, also had his curfew extended to 10pm. McDowell was also granted permission to attend a number of family events over the next few weeks provided he informs police of the times and his route of travel.

However an application by McDowell's barrister to allow the defendant to enter Coleraine twice a week for six hours to spend time with his young family was refused by District Judge Wilson.

Detective Constable Cooper told the court that they were opposed to the application because of the threat of intimidation of witnesses as well as the defendant's own safety.

Defence disagreed with DC Cooper saying that for bail objections to succeed there has to be evidential basis.

"The concerns expressed by DC Cooper only point to a generalised fear”, defence added.

"There is no allegation levelled that Mr McDowell that he has engaged, or instructed others to engage in the intimidation of witnesses. The defendants know that it would be prejudicial to their case if they got involved in any behaviour like this.

"This case has been dragging on for a long time now. There is no PE date in sight and if we are lucky there might be a trial towards the end of next year.

"This situation is causing a lot of angst in Mr McDowell's family and his wife is under a lot of stress. He has three young children and he wants to bring some normality back to family life in what is a very important time in his young children’s lives.

"This is not even close to normal family life and we feel that bail is being used as an additional punishment."

However District Judge Wilson said that he shared the concerns of the police and he was not prepared to agree to the variation.

The three men will reappear at Ballymena Magistrates' Court on June 17.