Pair charged with murder after attack

Pair charged with murder after attack

31 October 2018

A KILLYLEAGH man died after a “serious, vicious assault” on him by two men outside a bar in Portaferry, a court has heard.

Robert Kiernan (28), of Princetown Road, Bangor, and Jordan Donnelly (19), of Arlington Park, Portaferry, were charged with the murder of 32 year-old Ryan Macrae when they appeared at Newtownards Court last Thursday.

Mr Macrae, who worked as a labourer and guitar player, died in hospital two days earlier.

Kiernan and Donnelly, who were originally charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, stood side by side in the dock as they were charged with murdering Mr Macrae outside the Fiddlers Green Bar in Church Street on October 14.

Despite police objections, the two accused were freed on bail.

A detective sergeant testified he could connect the men to the alleged offence.

He said the entire incident had been captured on “very clear CCTV” and that both men had made admissions during police interviews. 

The detective told District Judge Mark Hamill that the assault was “basically one blow to the head which made the injured party fall directly to the ground banging his head”.

He continued: “That was followed up by stomping type, two stomps to the injured party’s head as he lay on the ground, followed up by the defendant grabbing him and banging his head on the ground.”

On hearing the detective describe the incident as a “fairly serious, vicious assault,” Judge Hamill said: “People who stamp on people’s head while they’re on the ground definitely go to prison.”

The detective objected to bail on the grounds that the pair might flee as “tensions in this area are quite high”, and sought a remand in custody “for their own personal security”.

Donnelly’s defence barrister, Mr Chris Holmes, said that while the police claimed they had a strong case, “there are definitely issues” which would have to be tried eventually, including Mr Macrae “being the aggressor on two or three occasions”.

He said that Donnelly had “taken himself to the door of Musgrave Street [station]” when he heard of Mr Macrae’s death, “knowing that they would be looking for him”.

Mr Conor Holmes, appearing Kiernan, a married father-of-two, made similar submissions and said his client was “absolutely distraught at this man’s passing.”

“This is not a clear-cut case,” Mr Holmes added. 

Judge Hamill released the men on bail on condition that they stay away from alcohol and licensed premises, adhere to a curfew and wear an electronic tag. 

They are due back in court on November 9.