Bail refused in murder case

A murder victim found dumped in a wheelie bin in Craigavon was showered after being subjected to a violent assault, the High Court has heard.

Police also believe the house in which Owen Creaney was allegedly beaten to death was cleaned by the time searches were carried out, prosecutors said.

Details emerged as bail was refused to a woman jointly accused of carrying out the killing last weekend.

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Shauneen Boyle, 23, of Edenderry Park, Banbridge, denies a charge of murdering Mr Creaney sometime between 4 and 5 July.

Mr Creaney’s body was discovered on Saturday in a bin outside the home of Ms Boyle’s co-accused, 27-year-old Stephen Hughes.

Post-mortem examinations revealed Mr Creaney died from severe chest injuries and possible head injuries.

Prosecuting counsel said police went to the Moyraverty Court address and asked permission to search it.

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Officers spotted blood on the walls and believed the property had been recently cleaned, she said.

It was alleged that Ms Boyle later informed police they should look in the bin where the body was found.

It was revealed that a witness in the investigation has claimed Ms Boyle confessed to have “gone mad” by punching and kicking the victim.

Questioned by the judge about the state of forensic evidence, the barrister said it was limited because Mr Creaney had been showered at the time the injuries were inflicted.

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Refusing bail, Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan said: “There’s a prima facie case in relation to her involvement in this crime, and there’s clear and demonstrable evidence of a risk of violent activities if she were to be released from custody.”