Spiers murder accused are further remanded

30-year-old Francis Paul McCormick of Cappaghmore Manor in Portstewart appeared via videolink from HMP Maghaberry.

McCormick is charged with the murder of Mr Spiers outside a nightclub in Portstewart on December 13 last year. He is also charged with affray and assaulting Michael Black occasioning actual bodily harm on the same date.

The defendant was remanded in custody for a further four weeks until February 1st when he will appear in court again via videolink.

Dressed in a blue T-shirt and white jacket, McCormick only spoke to confirm his name and that he understood the proceedings.

Later in the court sitting, the case of 19-year-old Paul McCormick, who is charged with affray relating to the same incident, was mentioned.

A solicitor for the 19-year-old, from Blackthorn Court in Coleraine, said that he intended to make an application to vary the defendant's curfew in order to allow him to work. He asked for the case to be adjourned until tomorrow (Wednesday).

Another defendant who is also charged with affray resulting from the same incident was remanded on continuing bail.

21-year-old Luke McArthur, Whyns Crescent, Portstewart , who is on bail in Scotland, is to re-appear in court on March 1st.

The case of the fourth man charged in connection with the incident, Robert Peter Henderson from Dunboe Gardens, will be heard tomorrow (Wednesday).