Yorkshire man accused of defrauding family of murdered Lurgan journalist Martin O'Hagan is sent for trial at Craigavon Crown Court
A man accused of defrauding the family of murdered journalist Martin O’Hagan has been sent for trial.
Michael Kingsberry, aged 43, from The Maples, Sycamore Close, Doncaster, East Yorkshire, appeared via video link before Craigavon Magistrates Court on Friday for a Preliminary Enquiry.
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Mr O’Hagan (51), a journalist with the Sunday World, was murdered by the LVF as he walked home with his wife Marie from a pub in Lurgan on September 28, 2001.
Kingsberry’s barrister, instructed by Phoenix Law, said his client was appearing from a detox centre, the Arc, in England.
The defendant confirmed he had received papers in relation to the Preliminary Enquiry
A single charge was put to Kingsberry accusing him of dishonestly making a false representation, namely that he purported to hold information about the murder of Mr O’Hagan with the intention to make a gain for himself or another or cause a loss to Mr O’Hagan’s family between August 14, 2019 and March 1, 2022.
A prosecutor submitted there is a prima facie case on the papers and there were no contrary submissions from the defence.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said he had read the papers. “There is a prima facie case against Michael Kingsberry.”
When asked, Kingsberry said he understood the charge and declined to say anything or put anything in writing in response to the charge.
The defendant was committed, on his own bail of £300, to appear before Craigavon Crown Court for arraignment on April 30.
The district judge said he would mark the court bail but “in the circumstances there is no need for Mr Kingsberry to sign”.