Latest: Magherafelt man pleads guilty to ‘unlawful killing’

A 52-year-old Magherafelt man Fred McClenaghan pleaded guilty today (tue) to the unlawful killing of 51-year-old Marion Millican as he was about to go on trial for her murder.
Fred McClenaghan.  Photo Pacemaker PressFred McClenaghan.  Photo Pacemaker Press
Fred McClenaghan. Photo Pacemaker Press

His trial at Belfast Crown Court has been adjourned until tomorrow (Wed) afternoon for the prosecution “to consider the plea”.

McClenaghan, from Broad Street, Magherafelt was due to go on trial for the shotgun murder of the mother of four as she sat having lunch with a friend in the Portstewart laundrette they were working on March 11, 2011.

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However, after being put “in charge” of the jury of eight women and four men, defence QC John McCrudden asked for McClenaghan to be re arraigned.

When the murder charge was put to him again, he replied: “Not Guilty to murder, but guilty to manslaughter”.

Prosecution QC Richard Weir said that he would need a “little time” given McClenaghan’s plea as “there are certain matters that need to be looked at”.

Initially trial judge Mr Justice Treacy told the jury that adjournments of this nature were normal and it was hoped to re-start the case either shortly before or just after lunch.

However, he later told them that unfortunately “we are not going to be able to start the trial this afternoon,” but that the court should be in a position to begin again at 2pm tomorrow.