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Man remanded over balcony plunge | Man remanded over balcony plunge |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A man has appeared in court charged with murdering a teenager who fell to his death from a balcony in Belfast. | A man has appeared in court charged with murdering a teenager who fell to his death from a balcony in Belfast. |
Mark Keenan, 26, from St James Street, Belfast, is accused of murdering James Murray early on Saturday morning. | |
The 19-year-old fell nine stories from a communal balcony to a courtyard at an apartment block at Kings St. | The 19-year-old fell nine stories from a communal balcony to a courtyard at an apartment block at Kings St. |
Belfast Magistrates Court heard that the defendant went to the police voluntarily at 1130 GMT on Saturday. He was remanded in custody for one week. | Belfast Magistrates Court heard that the defendant went to the police voluntarily at 1130 GMT on Saturday. He was remanded in custody for one week. |
Mr Keenan told detectives he had been in a fight with James Murray and that Mr Murray had fallen from the balcony but he did not know how this had happened. | Mr Keenan told detectives he had been in a fight with James Murray and that Mr Murray had fallen from the balcony but he did not know how this had happened. |
Under cross-examination from a defence lawyer, a detective sergeant said that Mr Keenan's account of the incident was the only one which the police had. | Under cross-examination from a defence lawyer, a detective sergeant said that Mr Keenan's account of the incident was the only one which the police had. |
The prosecution opposed bail on the grounds there was a risk witnesses would be interfered with. | The prosecution opposed bail on the grounds there was a risk witnesses would be interfered with. |
A 22-year-old woman who was arrested on Saturday was released unconditionally on Monday. | A 22-year-old woman who was arrested on Saturday was released unconditionally on Monday. |
'Shock' | 'Shock' |
Mr Murray had grown up in Dublin. He came to Belfast in September to live with his natural father and partner. | Mr Murray had grown up in Dublin. He came to Belfast in September to live with his natural father and partner. |
A local priest said his family described him as a quiet young fellow who came to Belfast to improve his education. | A local priest said his family described him as a quiet young fellow who came to Belfast to improve his education. |
Father John Forsythe, parish priest of Lagmore in west Belfast, visited the family home on Sunday evening. | Father John Forsythe, parish priest of Lagmore in west Belfast, visited the family home on Sunday evening. |
"It is a dreadful shock for the family," he said. | "It is a dreadful shock for the family," he said. |
"They are all just numbed. They had a quiet and dignified sadness. They are waiting for answers from the police." | "They are all just numbed. They had a quiet and dignified sadness. They are waiting for answers from the police." |
Father Forsythe said the teenager had travelled from his home in Ballymun, Dublin, to live with his father and to study at the local technical college. | Father Forsythe said the teenager had travelled from his home in Ballymun, Dublin, to live with his father and to study at the local technical college. |
"He was a very quiet, young fellow who wanted to get more of an education. For the short time he lived here, he seems to have made friends," he said. | "He was a very quiet, young fellow who wanted to get more of an education. For the short time he lived here, he seems to have made friends," he said. |
The priest said the family intended to bring James Murray's body to his Belfast home for a while before transferring it to Dublin for burial. | The priest said the family intended to bring James Murray's body to his Belfast home for a while before transferring it to Dublin for burial. |