Four charged after murder in Comber

Four charged after murder in Comber

18 January 2012

A FATHER and his two sons have appeared in court charged with the murder of Philip Strickland outside Comber last week.

At Newtownards Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, Jimmy Seales, a 54 year old farmer from the Ballykeel Road near Hillsborough, was charged with killing Mr. Strickland and threatening to kill another man.

His sons, Jason Weir (24), from Raffrey Road near Killinchy and Ian Weir (26), from Derryboye Road, also Killinchy, are also charged with murder.

All three are also accused of having a shotgun with intent to endanger life.

The defendants only nodded to say they understood the charge, while a detective sergeant said he believed he could connect the accused to the charge.

As the father and sons were led away there was an outburst from a man in the public gallery. He shouted “youse are scum, cowards, big men”.

The three men were remanded in custody until February 14 to appear again via video link.

On Monday, a 44-year-old man appeared at Ards Magistrates’ Court accused of assisting offenders over Mr. Strickland’s killing on January 11.

North Lucas, of Ballycreely Road, Comber, was released on £750 bail and ordered to surrender his passport and to stay away from any witnesses or co-accused in the case.

Two other men arrested over the murder, aged 19 and 32, have been released pending reports to the Public Prosecution Service.

A 44-year-old woman was released on police bail, while two other women, aged 19 and 21, were released without charge.