October date for Ballycastle murder PE

And the date being targeted for a preliminary enquiry - the step to send a case to the Crown Court - is early October, a prosecutor said.

Christopher Patrick Keenan (34), whose address was listed as no fixed abode, Ballymena, is charged with murdering Anthony McErlain on January 28 this year.

Mr McErlain (48) was found dead at a house in the Broombeg View area of Ballycastle.

Keenan appeared at Coleraine Magistrates Court via video link from Maghaberry Prison on Monday August 1 and District Judge Liam McNally adjourned the case to later this month and Keenan was remanded in continuing custody.

WRECKED CARAVAN

A MAN addicted to the prescription painkiller Tramadol who wrecked a holiday caravan in Castlerock had, a short time before, found a homeless woman dead on the streets of Belfast, a court has heard.

James Edwards (25), of Parkmount Street, Belfast, fell out with his partner and broke crockery and caused damage totalling £200 to a caravan in Castlerock, Coleraine Magistrates Court was told on Monday August 1.

A defence lawyer said before the incident Edwards had found the homeless woman, whom he knew whilst working as a tour guide in Belfast, dead on the street.

And two months before the Castlerock incident, the defendant’s mother died which “accelerated” his addiction to the prescription painkiller Tramadol.

After smashing up the caravan, Edwards drove off in his partner’s car and pleaded guilty to charges of criminal damage; taking a vehicle without authority; absence of insurance and absence of a driving licence. Edwards, who appeared before the court via video link, was jailed for three months; banned from driving for a year and fined £100.