Man appears in court accused over puppy killing

A 23-year-old man has been charged in connection with the killing of 11-week-old puppy Sparky.

PACEMAKER BELFAST 07/02/2018
Kyle Keegan (blue coat) covers from the Camera , as he appears at Craigavon Court on Wednesday, He is charged with causing unnecessary suffering to animals, It is in relation to 11-week old puppy (Sparky) , who had been killed with a hammer in the Ailsbury Park area of Lurgan on Monday evening.
Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press — PACEMAKER BELFAST 07/02/2018 Kyle Keegan (blue coat) covers from the Camera , as he appears at Craigavon Court on Wednesday, He is charged with causing unnecessary suffering to animals, It is in relation to 11-week old puppy (Sparky) , who had been killed with a hammer in the Ailsbury Park area of Lurgan on Monday evening. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press

Kyle Keegan, Gilpins Manor, Lurgan, appeared today (Wednesday, February 7) at Craigavon Magistrates Court.

He is accused that on February 3 he caused unnecessary suffering to a dog.

His solicitor said there would be no application for bail.

He indicated they were looking for a bail address outside the Lurgan area.

A police officer said she was aware of the facts and circumstances of the case and believed she could connect the accused to the charge.

Keegan was remanded in custody to appear by way of videolink on March 2.

As he was remanded in custody, a number of animal rights activists shouted angrily at him.

His mother approached one of the activists, and said: “He was brought up decent. He was brought up well,” before leaving the courtroom.

During a discussion with his defence lawyer about a possible future bail application, District Judge Bernadette Kelly said there may not be a suitable address for him in Northern Ireland given recent coverage of the case on social media.

When Keegan’s lawyer said he was looking for an address outside Lurgan, Ms Kelly responded: “Somewhere about the Azores I reckon. Have you checked social media this morning?”

She added: “Social media extends from the west coast of America to the east coast of Japan.”

The District Judge indicated that if there was to be a bail application the matter could be brought forward before that date.

As Keegan was being taken away there were shouts of ‘scumbag’ and ‘b—d’ from members of the public.