Lurgan murder victim Marcell Seeley died from trauma involving ‘stamping’ to his head, court told

Mark Daniel Ward, Drumellan Gardens, Craigavon, appeared in court by way of videolink from Maghaberry prison.

He is charged with the murder of Mr Seeley between October 9 and October 13 this year.

A detective sergeant involved in the murder investigation said police would be opposing the bail application.

Outlining the background he said that a post mortem showed that Mr Seeley had died from blunt force trauma to his head which involved kicking and a footwear pattern suggested stamping.

The officer told the court of the movements of the accused and in a heavily intoxicated state he is alleged to have said ‘Junior, two uppercuts and on to the head’ to a neighbour.

Opposing bail he said there was a risk of flight, a risk of re-offending and that Ward had previously breached court bail on three occasions.

There was also a fear that he might interfere with or intimidate witnesses.

A defence solicitor said Ward had no intention of interfering with witnesses and that the case against him was a ‘tenuous’ one.

He added that his client had an address in Downpatrick he could go to and this was just a few hundred yards from a police station. He would also comply with any court imposed conditions.

District Judge, Mrs Bernie Kelly, said the address had not been approved by police and Ward had been assessed at a high risk of re-offending.

She also felt there was a real risk of him interfering with witnesses.

Refusing bail she said that Ward had the right to apply to the High Court.

She remanded him in custody to appear again on November 27.